Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Dearborn Heights Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Dearborn Heights MI is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dearborn Heights MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked 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, such as Dearborn Heights MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Dearborn Heights MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dearborn Heights MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 school is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Dearborn Heights MI programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Dearborn Heights MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Dearborn Heights MI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. 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 total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 Dearborn Heights 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Dearborn Heights MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Dearborn Heights MI health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Dearborn Heights MI, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Dearborn Heights MI

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dearborn Heights MI.

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