Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Van Nuys California
Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Van Nuys CA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of Van Nuys CA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Van Nuys CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Van Nuys CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Van Nuys CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Van Nuys CA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national 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 a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Van Nuys CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Van Nuys CA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Van Nuys CA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the California schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Van Nuys CA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Van Nuys CA medical community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Van Nuys CA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Van Nuys CA
Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to 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 ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Van Nuys CA.
Learn About Van Nuys California
Van Nuys
Van Nuys /vænˈnaɪz/ is a neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles in California. It is home to the Van Nuys Airport, the Valley Municipal Building, and is the only neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley with a population exceeding 100,000 residents.
The town was founded in 1911 and named for Isaac Newton Van Nuys, one of its developers.[1] It was annexed by Los Angeles on May 22, 1915,[2] after completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, providing it with the water required for further growth.[3] Van Nuys was the first new stop on the San Fernando Line of the Pacific Electric Railway red cars system, which boosted its early land sales and commercial success.[1]
Van Nuys became the Valley's satellite Los Angeles municipal civic center with the 1932 Art Deco Valley Municipal Building (Van Nuys City Hall), a visual landmark and Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, starting the present-day Government Center complex of government services buildings.[1]
In 1991, Marvin Braude, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, redesignated a 45-block area of Van Nuys as a part of Sherman Oaks.[4] This redesignated area included the community of Magnolia Woods.[5] Some area residents had presented a petition and several original deeds that stated "Sherman Oaks" to Braude. They argued that the area was originally a part of Sherman Oaks until the 1960s, when ZIP Codes labeling the area as Van Nuys were established.[4]
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