Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Fredonia Wisconsin

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Fredonia WI is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Fredonia WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Fredonia WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Fredonia WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Fredonia WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

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 decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Fredonia WI colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, 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. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Fredonia WI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Fredonia WI local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Fredonia WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Wisconsin colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Fredonia WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Fredonia WI health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Fredonia WI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Fredonia WI

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Fredonia WI.

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