Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Ferndale California

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Ferndale CA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Ferndale CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Ferndale CA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Ferndale CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ferndale CA 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 California school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Ferndale CA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Ferndale CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many 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 imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Ferndale CA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Ferndale 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the California colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Ferndale CA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ferndale CA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Ferndale CA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. 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 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 Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Ferndale CA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen 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 choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ferndale CA.

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