Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Drayton Plains Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Drayton Plains MI is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. 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 pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Drayton Plains MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Drayton Plains MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Drayton Plains MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies 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 require 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 imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Drayton Plains 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 can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Drayton Plains MI schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Drayton Plains MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Drayton Plains MI area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Drayton Plains MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Drayton Plains MI health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Drayton Plains MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Drayton Plains MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing 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 as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Drayton Plains MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final decision. 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 Drayton Plains MI.

Learn About Drayton Plains Michigan

 

 

More Interesting Michigan Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Alger MI 48610

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Muskegon MI 49440

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Concord MI 49237

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pointe aux Pins MI 49775

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Leslie MI 49251

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hickory Corners MI 49060

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bentley MI 48613

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Saugatuck MI 49453

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mackinaw City MI 49701

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hillsdale MI 49242