Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Holbrook Arizona

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Holbrook AZ is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible 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 begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Holbrook AZ phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Holbrook AZ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting 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 senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Holbrook AZ, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest 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 phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Holbrook AZ 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Arizona campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Holbrook AZ colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Arizona or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, 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 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 examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Holbrook AZ. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, 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 requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Holbrook AZ local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Arizona school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Arizona regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Holbrook AZ phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Arizona colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Holbrook AZ healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Holbrook AZ healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Holbrook AZ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy College near Holbrook AZ

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Holbrook AZ.

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