Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Port Hope Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Port Hope MI is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding 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 reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Port Hope MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Port Hope MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Port Hope MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Port Hope MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select 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 means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Port Hope MI programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school 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 exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Port Hope MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential 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 graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Port Hope MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Port Hope MI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Port Hope MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Port Hope MI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Port Hope MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables 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 along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Port Hope MI

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. 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 presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Port Hope MI.

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