Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Hartford Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Hartford MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Hartford MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Hartford MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting 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 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 basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hartford MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Hartford 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 component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Hartford MI schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies 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 phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable 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 school in addition to 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 examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Hartford MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Hartford MI area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hartford MI phlebotomy 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 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 looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Hartford MI health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hartford MI health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hartford MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Hartford MI

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hartford MI.

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