Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Shelby Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Shelby MI is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Shelby MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Shelby MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Shelby 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 fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shelby 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Shelby MI programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Shelby MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Shelby MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Shelby MI phlebotomy 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 signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Shelby MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Shelby MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Shelby MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with 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 an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Shelby MI

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Shelby MI.

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