Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near El Mirage Arizona

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near El Mirage AZ is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many El Mirage AZ phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including El Mirage AZ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in El Mirage AZ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved El Mirage AZ healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Arizona campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the El Mirage AZ colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Arizona or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, 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 premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in El Mirage AZ. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few El Mirage AZ local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Arizona school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Arizona regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any El Mirage AZ 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Arizona programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local El Mirage AZ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school 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 as well as a large network of professional contacts within the El Mirage AZ medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near El Mirage AZ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to 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 strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near El Mirage AZ

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in El Mirage AZ.

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