Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Fennimore Wisconsin

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Fennimore WI is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools 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 variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 Fennimore WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Fennimore WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting 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, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Fennimore WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Fennimore WI 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-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Fennimore WI schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Fennimore WI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Fennimore WI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Wisconsin 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 Fennimore WI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Fennimore WI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Fennimore WI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Fennimore WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near Fennimore WI

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Fennimore WI.

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