Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Santa Clara California
Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Santa Clara CA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.
[campusexplorer header_text=”Find Phlebotomy Schools Near You!” aos=”75346615″ concentration=”E7147EE5″ tracking=”PHL-CT”]
Phlebotomy Tech Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Santa Clara CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Santa Clara CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Santa Clara CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Classes
To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Santa Clara CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Santa Clara CA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Santa Clara CA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Santa Clara CA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Santa Clara CA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the California programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Santa Clara CA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Santa Clara CA medical community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Santa Clara CA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Santa Clara CA
Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Santa Clara CA.
Learn About Santa Clara California
Santa Clara, California
Santa Clara (/ˌsæntəˈklærə/) is a city in Santa Clara County, California. The city's population was 116,468 at the 2010 United States Census, making it the ninth-most populous city in the San Francisco Bay Area. Located 45 miles (72 km) southeast of San Francisco, the city was founded in 1777 with the establishment of Mission Santa Clara de Asís, the eighth of 21 California missions. The city was later incorporated in 1852. The mission, the city, and the county are all named for Saint Clare of Assisi.[9]
Santa Clara is located in the center of Silicon Valley and is home to the headquarters of several high-tech companies such as Intel. It is also home to Santa Clara University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of California, which was built around Mission Santa Clara de Asís.[10]Levi's Stadium, the home of the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers, is located in the city. Santa Clara is bordered by San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Cupertino.
The first European to visit the valley was José Francisco Ortega in 1769. He found the area inhabited by Native Americans, whom the Spanish called the Costanos, "coast people", later known as the Ohlone. The Spanish began to colonize California with 21 missions and the Mission Santa Clara de Asis was founded in 1777.
In 1846, the American flag was raised over Monterey and symbolized the transfer of the sovereignty of the California Republic over to the United States of America. In 1851, Santa Clara College was established on the grounds of the original Mission. In 1852, Santa Clara was incorporated as a town; it became state-chartered by 1862.
More Interesting California Cities
Business Results 1 - 5 of 292
Santa Clara CA Blood Labs - BingNews Search results
-
CA Hospital System Dumped Human Flesh, Blood And Fentanyl: DA
The state's second-largest county-run health system is accused of illegally disposing of human tissue, blood, drugs and private information.
-
Human flesh, blood illegally dumped by Santa Clara County hospitals: DA
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the county’s hospital system for illegally dumping waste that included human flesh, blood-filled vials, confidential patient ...
-
Santa Clara County-run hospitals accused of illegal hazardous waste dumping
The Santa Clara County-run hospital system is under investigation and facing steep penalties for illegal dumping of hazardous waste, according to the District Attorney’s Office.