Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Wolverine Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Wolverine MI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Wolverine MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Wolverine MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing 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 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Wolverine MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Wolverine 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided 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 arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Wolverine MI schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select 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 be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Wolverine MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal 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 investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Wolverine MI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with 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? First, contact 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 Wolverine MI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Wolverine MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Wolverine MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wolverine MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Wolverine MI

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wolverine MI.

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