Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Scottville Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Scottville MI is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Scottville MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Scottville MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type 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 practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Scottville MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method 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 phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Scottville MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

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 might have already decided on 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 campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Scottville MI colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Scottville MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Scottville MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 Scottville MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 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 furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Scottville MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Scottville MI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Scottville MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables 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 work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Scottville MI

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Scottville MI.

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