Picking a Phlebotomy School near Indian River Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Indian River MI is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Indian River MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Indian River MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly 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 variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Indian River MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include 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 provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification before 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Indian River 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Indian River MI schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Indian River 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 School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative 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 students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Indian River MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask 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 Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Indian River MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Indian River MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 substantial network of professional contacts within the Indian River MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Indian River MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Indian River MI

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Indian River MI.

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