Picking a Phlebotomist School near San Ardo California
Choosing the right phlebotomist school near San Ardo CA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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.
Phlebotomist Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of San Ardo CA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including San Ardo CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, 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 mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in San Ardo CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as 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 quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees
First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved San Ardo 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the San Ardo CA programs you are considering before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in San Ardo CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some San Ardo CA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide 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 colleges are in total compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any San Ardo CA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the California programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local San Ardo CA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the San Ardo CA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near San Ardo CA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Find the Best Phlebotomist Course near San Ardo CA
Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in San Ardo CA.
Learn About San Ardo California
San Ardo, California
San Ardo (formerly, San Bernardo) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Monterey County, California, United States.[4] San Ardo is located 18 miles (29 km) southeast of King City,[5] at an elevation of 449 feet (137 m).[4] The population was 517 at the 2010 census, up from 501 at the 2000 census.
San Ardo is near the point where the broad Salinas Valley ends at its southern terminus and pinches out within the converging portions of the California Coast Ranges, including the Santa Lucia Mountains on the west and the Cholame Hills and the Diablo Range on the east.
San Ardo is located at 36°01′14″N 120°54′19″W / 36.02056°N 120.90528°W / 36.02056; -120.90528.[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all of it land.
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