Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lakeville Minnesota

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Lakeville MN is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

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 verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 Lakeville MN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Lakeville MN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lakeville MN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lakeville MN 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the Minnesota campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Lakeville MN programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing 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 fulfills the state specific requirements for Minnesota or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Lakeville MN. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Lakeville MN local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Minnesota school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Minnesota regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lakeville MN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Minnesota programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lakeville MN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

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

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lakeville MN, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous 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 work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Lakeville MN

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lakeville MN.

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