Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Dearborn Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Dearborn MI is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing 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 selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish 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 then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Dearborn MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control 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 Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Dearborn MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Dearborn MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dearborn 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 part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Dearborn MI programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares 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 recognized 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 in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Dearborn MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out 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 placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Dearborn MI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dearborn MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Dearborn MI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dearborn MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Dearborn MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And 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 need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Dearborn MI

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dearborn MI.

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