Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Woodburn Oregon

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Woodburn OR is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection 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 assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Woodburn OR phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Woodburn OR medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Woodburn OR, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including 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 superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Woodburn OR 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now 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 picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Oregon college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Woodburn OR colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school 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 several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Woodburn OR. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Woodburn OR area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Oregon school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Oregon regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Woodburn OR phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Oregon programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Woodburn OR health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Woodburn OR healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Woodburn OR, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Woodburn OR

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Woodburn OR.

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