Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Mukilteo Washington

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Mukilteo WA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. 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 right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

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. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Mukilteo WA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Mukilteo WA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working 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 newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Mukilteo WA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Mukilteo WA 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-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered 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 extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Washington school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Mukilteo WA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing 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 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 in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Mukilteo WA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little 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 any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Mukilteo WA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Washington 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 Mukilteo WA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Washington schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Mukilteo WA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Mukilteo WA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mukilteo WA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, 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 find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Mukilteo WA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mukilteo WA.

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