Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Altoona Wisconsin

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Altoona WI is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Altoona WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Altoona WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working 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 Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Altoona WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Altoona WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Altoona WI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national 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 an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, 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 getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Altoona WI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school 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 little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Altoona WI area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Altoona WI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Altoona WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Altoona WI medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Altoona WI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Altoona WI

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Altoona WI.

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