Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Reseda California

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Reseda CA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. 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 pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Reseda CA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Reseda CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Reseda CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive 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, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Reseda CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option 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 initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Reseda CA colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may 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 California or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Reseda CA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Reseda CA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. 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 Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Reseda CA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the California schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Reseda CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Reseda CA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Reseda CA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Reseda CA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Reseda CA.

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