Picking a Phlebotomy School near Bellevue Washington

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Bellevue WA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes 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 variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Bellevue WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Bellevue WA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Bellevue WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bellevue WA 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 portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Washington school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Bellevue WA schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national 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 in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Bellevue WA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’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 important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Bellevue WA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Bellevue WA 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Washington programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Bellevue WA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bellevue WA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bellevue WA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Bellevue WA

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bellevue WA.

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