Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Newport Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Newport MI is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select 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 classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Newport MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Newport MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Newport MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newport MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Newport MI colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Newport MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Newport MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Newport MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Newport MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide 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 college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Newport MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Newport MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Newport MI

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Newport MI.

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