Picking a Phlebotomy School near Canton Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Canton MI is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples 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 confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Canton MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Canton MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing 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 working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Canton 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Canton MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). 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 right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Canton MI colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Canton MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future 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 caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Canton 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 complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, 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 Canton MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Canton MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Canton MI health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Canton MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Canton MI

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Canton MI.

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