Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Austin Colorado

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Austin CO is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Austin CO phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Austin CO medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Austin CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Austin CO healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Colorado school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Austin CO programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Austin CO. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Austin CO area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Colorado school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Colorado regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Austin CO phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Colorado programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Austin CO health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Austin CO healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Austin CO, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of 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 attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Austin CO

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Austin CO.

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