Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Benzonia Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Benzonia MI is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest 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 provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. Many Benzonia MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Benzonia MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Benzonia MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After 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 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

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 curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Benzonia 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools 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 school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Benzonia MI schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements 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 before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Benzonia MI. 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 Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. 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 graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Benzonia MI area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Benzonia MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Michigan schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Benzonia MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Benzonia MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Benzonia MI, check that they are offered 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Benzonia MI

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Benzonia MI.

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