Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Novi Michigan

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Novi MI is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work 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. Before drawing 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 properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Novi MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Novi MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Novi MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Novi 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 can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Novi MI schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Novi MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college 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 those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Novi MI area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Novi MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 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 offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Novi MI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Novi MI health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Novi 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Novi MI

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Novi MI.

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