Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Three Rivers California

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Three Rivers CA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Three Rivers CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Three Rivers CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Three Rivers CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Three Rivers CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Three Rivers CA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Three Rivers CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Three Rivers CA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Three Rivers CA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the California programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Three Rivers CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Three Rivers CA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Three Rivers CA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Three Rivers CA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Three Rivers CA.

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