Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Salem Oregon

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Salem OR is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out 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. Some Salem OR phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Salem OR medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Salem OR, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Salem OR healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Oregon college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Salem OR colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Oregon? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, 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 a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Salem OR. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Salem OR area 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 contact the Oregon school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Oregon regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Salem OR phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Oregon programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Salem OR medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Salem OR health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Salem OR, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Salem OR

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, 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 realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Salem OR.

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