Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Quincy Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Quincy MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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. Some Quincy MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Quincy MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Quincy MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Quincy 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Quincy MI colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Quincy MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Quincy MI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Quincy MI phlebotomy 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Quincy MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Quincy MI medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Quincy MI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Quincy MI

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Quincy MI.

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