Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Newaygo Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Newaygo MI is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Newaygo MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Newaygo MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Newaygo MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newaygo 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 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, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Newaygo MI colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Newaygo MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Newaygo MI area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Newaygo MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Michigan schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Newaygo MI health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Newaygo MI health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Newaygo MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Newaygo MI

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Newaygo MI.

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