Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Maybee Michigan

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Maybee MI is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Maybee MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Maybee MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Maybee MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Maybee MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type 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 college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Maybee MI programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Maybee MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Maybee MI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide 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 schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Maybee MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Maybee MI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Maybee MI medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Maybee MI, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Maybee MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to 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 choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Maybee MI.

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