Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Negaunee Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Negaunee MI is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Negaunee MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Negaunee MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Negaunee MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Negaunee 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 portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish 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. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Negaunee MI colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Negaunee MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Negaunee MI local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Negaunee MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Negaunee MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Negaunee MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Negaunee MI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Negaunee MI

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Negaunee MI.

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