Tag Archives: How to Become a Certified Phlebotomist Half Moon Bay CA 94019

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Half Moon Bay CA 94019

Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Half Moon Bay California

Half Moon Bay CA phlebotomist taking blood samplePicking the ideal phlebotomist school near Half Moon Bay CA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

Half Moon Bay CA phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to 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 testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Half Moon Bay CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Half Moon Bay CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

Half Moon Bay CA phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Half Moon Bay CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

attending phlebotomy training online in Half Moon Bay CAFirst, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Half Moon Bay CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Half Moon Bay CA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Half Moon Bay CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Half Moon Bay CA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the California 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. At a minimum, any Half Moon Bay CA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the California colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Half Moon Bay CA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Half Moon Bay CA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Half Moon Bay CA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask 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 preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near Half Moon Bay CA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Half Moon Bay CA.

Learn About Half Moon Bay California

Half Moon Bay, California

Half Moon Bay is a coastal city in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its population was 11,324 as of the 2010 census. Immediately at the north of Half Moon Bay is the Pillar Point Harbor and the unincorporated community of Princeton-by-the-Sea. The urban area had a population of 20,713 at the same census.

Half Moon Bay began as a rural agriculture area, primarily used for grazing of cattle, horses, and oxen used by Mission San Francisco de Asis (established in June 1776). Following the secularization of the Mission, Tiburcio Vásquez received the Rancho Corral de Tierra Mexican land grant in 1839 and Candelario Miramontes was granted Rancho Miramontes (later known as Rancho San Benito) in 1841.

The community began to develop in the 1840s as the first real town in San Mateo County. Known originally as San Benito, the town was renamed Spanishtown and attracted a thriving fishing industry in addition to its continued importance to coastal agriculture. Spanishtown became a racially diverse community, settled by Canadians, Chinese, English, Germans, Irish, Mexicans, Italians, Scots, Portuguese, and Pacific Islanders. Regular stagecoach service was established with San Mateo; coaches also served the communities of Purissima, Lobitos, and San Gregorio. Levy Brothers opened a department store in downtown Half Moon Bay. Spanishtown was officially renamed Half Moon Bay in 1874.

The area grew very slowly, even after the Ocean Shore Railroad began serving the community in 1907. The construction of Pedro Mountain Road in 1914 provided better access to San Francisco and probably contributed to the demise of the railroad by 1920. The USS DeLong ran aground at Half Moon Bay 1 December 1921. During Prohibition "rum runners" took advantage of dense fog and hidden coves in the area to serve a number of roadhouses and inns, some of which operate today as restaurants. Real growth in the area came after World War II with the construction of numerous subdivisions, eventually leading to the incorporation of Half Moon Bay in 1959. The city preserves a historic downtown district which includes historic buildings dating as far back as 1869.

 

 

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