Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Linwood Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Linwood MI is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Linwood MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Linwood MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, 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 newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Linwood MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Linwood MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in 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 premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend 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 cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Linwood MI programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Linwood MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Linwood MI local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed 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 practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Linwood MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish 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 comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Linwood MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Linwood MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Linwood MI, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Linwood MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Linwood MI.

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