Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Cadillac Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Cadillac MI is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to 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 evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Cadillac MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Cadillac MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Cadillac MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cadillac MI 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Cadillac MI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national 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 has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Cadillac MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Cadillac MI area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cadillac MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Cadillac MI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cadillac MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cadillac MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Cadillac MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cadillac MI.

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