Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Concord Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Concord MI is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Concord MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Concord MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Concord MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Concord 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-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Concord MI programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist 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. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Concord MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Concord MI area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Concord MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Concord MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Concord MI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Concord MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing 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 Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Concord MI

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Concord MI.

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