Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Southfield Michigan

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Southfield MI is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to 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 assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Southfield MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Southfield MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Southfield MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Southfield 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 may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Southfield MI schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Southfield MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Southfield MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Southfield MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Southfield MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Southfield MI health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Southfield MI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Southfield MI

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Southfield MI.

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