Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Jackson Michigan

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Jackson MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Jackson MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Jackson MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Jackson MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Jackson 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 may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Jackson MI schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Jackson MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Jackson MI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Jackson MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Jackson MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Jackson MI health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Jackson MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Jackson MI

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Jackson MI.

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