Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Bentley Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Bentley MI is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bentley MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Bentley MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Bentley MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as 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 include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bentley MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many 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 option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Bentley MI schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several 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 sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Bentley MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Bentley MI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bentley MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Bentley MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Bentley MI medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bentley MI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Bentley MI

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bentley MI.

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