Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Commerce Township Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Commerce Township MI is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point 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 can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Commerce Township MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Commerce Township MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Commerce Township MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Commerce Township 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Commerce Township MI schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program 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 examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Commerce Township MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Commerce Township MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final 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 Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Commerce Township MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Michigan schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Commerce Township MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Commerce Township MI health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Commerce Township MI, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Commerce Township MI

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Commerce Township MI.

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