Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Coopersville Michigan

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Coopersville MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Coopersville MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Coopersville 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 infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Coopersville MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although 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 complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Coopersville 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want 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 tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Coopersville MI programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Coopersville MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Coopersville MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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 Coopersville MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Coopersville MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Coopersville MI medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Coopersville MI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Coopersville MI

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical 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 training programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Coopersville MI.

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