Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Midvale Utah

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Midvale UT is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Midvale UT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required 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 varied, including Midvale UT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Midvale UT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once 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 prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Midvale UT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select 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 disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Utah campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Midvale UT 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 phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Utah or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose 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 program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Midvale UT. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future 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 those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Midvale UT area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Utah school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Utah regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Midvale UT phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Utah colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Midvale UT medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at 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 a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Midvale UT healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Midvale UT, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Midvale UT

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Midvale UT.

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