Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Hazel Park Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Hazel Park MI is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hazel Park MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Hazel Park MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hazel Park MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hazel Park MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive 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 choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Hazel Park MI programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Hazel Park MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school 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 phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Hazel Park MI area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see 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 submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. At a minimum, any Hazel Park MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Michigan schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Hazel Park MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hazel Park MI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hazel Park MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Hazel Park MI

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hazel Park MI.

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