Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Port Townsend Washington

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Port Townsend WA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. 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 select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Port Townsend WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Port Townsend WA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Port Townsend WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Port Townsend WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Washington college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. 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 a few questions that you should ask about all of the Port Townsend WA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Port Townsend WA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Port Townsend WA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Port Townsend WA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Washington programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Port Townsend WA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Port Townsend WA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Port Townsend WA, make certain 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near Port Townsend WA

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Port Townsend WA.

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