Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Briggsdale Colorado
Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Briggsdale CO is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.
Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Briggsdale CO phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Briggsdale CO hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Briggsdale CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Schools
To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Briggsdale CO 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. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Colorado school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Briggsdale CO colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist 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 hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, 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 loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Briggsdale CO. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Briggsdale CO area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Colorado school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Colorado 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Briggsdale CO phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Colorado colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Briggsdale CO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Briggsdale CO health care community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Briggsdale CO, 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. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Select the Right Phlebotomist Course near Briggsdale CO
Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat 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 need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Briggsdale CO.
Learn About Briggsdale Colorado
Briggsdale, Colorado
Briggsdale is an unincorporated community and U.S. Post Office in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The ZIP Code of the Briggsdale Post Office is 80611.[3]
The town of Briggsdale was established in 1909.[1] The town was named for Frank N. Briggs, a farmer and one of the founders.[1] The Briggsdale Post Office opened on August 1, 1910.[4]
Briggsdale is located at 40°38′05″N 104°19′37″W / 40.63472°N 104.32694°W / 40.63472; -104.32694 (40.634669,-104.326859).
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