Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Kilauea Hawaii

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Kilauea HI is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Kilauea HI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Kilauea HI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Kilauea HI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Kilauea HI 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Hawaii college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure 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 Kilauea HI colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Hawaii? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Hawaii or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Kilauea HI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Kilauea HI local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Hawaii school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Hawaii regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Kilauea HI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Hawaii programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Kilauea HI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out 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 the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kilauea HI healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Kilauea HI, make sure they are available 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Kilauea HI

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kilauea HI.

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