Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Clinton Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Clinton MI is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important 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 select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Clinton MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Clinton MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw 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 samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing 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 different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Clinton MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing 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 several 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 choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Clinton MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Clinton MI colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Clinton MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools 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 screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Clinton MI local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested 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 Sufficient 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Clinton MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Clinton MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

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

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Clinton MI, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Clinton MI

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Clinton MI.

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