Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Waterford Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Waterford MI is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly 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 tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Waterford MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Waterford MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Waterford MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Waterford MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Waterford MI colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Waterford MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Waterford MI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Waterford MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing 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 might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Michigan programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Waterford MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Waterford MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Waterford MI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Waterford MI

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Waterford MI.

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