Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Glen Arbor Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Glen Arbor MI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important 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 important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, 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 delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Glen Arbor MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control 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 are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Glen Arbor MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Glen Arbor MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as 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 furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Glen Arbor MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it might 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 expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Glen Arbor MI programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Glen Arbor MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Glen Arbor MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact 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. At a minimum, any Glen Arbor MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Glen Arbor MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Glen Arbor MI health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Glen Arbor MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Glen Arbor MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Glen Arbor MI.

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