Picking a Phlebotomist School near Redford Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Redford MI is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Redford MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Redford MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Redford MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Redford MI 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-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Redford MI colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Redford MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Redford MI local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Michigan 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. At a minimum, any Redford MI phlebotomy program that you are considering 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 offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Redford MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Redford MI health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Redford MI, 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. 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 ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Program near Redford MI

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Redford MI.

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