Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Kent City Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Kent City MI is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might 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 keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating 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 schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

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. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Kent City MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Kent City MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Kent City MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

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 practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Kent City MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Kent City MI programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Kent City MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges 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 assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Kent City MI local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final 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 Adequate Training Provided? 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 Kent City MI phlebotomist program that you are looking at 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 expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Michigan programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Kent City MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Kent City MI health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Kent City MI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take 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 inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Kent City MI

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kent City MI.

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