Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Moss Landing California

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Moss Landing CA is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may 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 you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Moss Landing CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Moss Landing CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Moss Landing CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Moss Landing 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school 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 receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 California school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Moss Landing CA colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Moss Landing CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Moss Landing CA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Moss Landing CA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the California colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Moss Landing CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Moss Landing CA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Moss Landing CA, make certain they are offered 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Moss Landing CA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Moss Landing CA.

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