Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Inver Grove Heights Minnesota

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Inver Grove Heights MN is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection 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 reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Inver Grove Heights MN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Inver Grove Heights MN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Inver Grove Heights MN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation 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, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Inver Grove Heights MN 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-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive 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 degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 Minnesota school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Inver Grove Heights MN schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Minnesota or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 program in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Inver Grove Heights MN. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Inver Grove Heights MN local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Minnesota school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the Minnesota regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Inver Grove Heights MN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Minnesota colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Inver Grove Heights MN medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Inver Grove Heights MN medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Inver Grove Heights MN, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, 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 clinical training requirement, make certain 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 Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Inver Grove Heights MN

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Inver Grove Heights MN.

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