Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Standish Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Standish MI is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first 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 more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed 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 correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Standish MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Standish MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, 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 solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Standish MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Standish 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 part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type 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 tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Standish MI programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Standish MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Standish MI local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Standish MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most 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 Internships Included? Ask the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Standish MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Standish MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Standish MI, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics 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 discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy College near Standish MI

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Standish MI.

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