Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Westland Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Westland MI is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing 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 Westland MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Westland MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Westland MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Westland MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind 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 campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Westland MI schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Westland MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Westland MI area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Westland MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Westland MI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire 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 most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Westland MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Westland MI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Westland MI

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Westland MI.

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