Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Eagle River Alaska

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Eagle River AK is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss 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 such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Eagle River AK phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Eagle River AK medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Eagle River AK, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing 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 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 important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Eagle River AK 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-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Alaska college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Eagle River AK schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Alaska or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Eagle River AK. 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 School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Eagle River AK local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Alaska school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the Alaska 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. At a minimum, any Eagle River AK phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish 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 sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Alaska colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Eagle River AK health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Eagle River AK medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Eagle River AK, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Eagle River AK

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Eagle River AK.

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