Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Elma Washington

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Elma WA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Elma WA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Elma WA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind 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 newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Elma WA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before employing 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Elma WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (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 obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Washington campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Elma WA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Washington? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Elma WA. 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 minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Elma WA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate 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. At a minimum, any Elma WA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Washington schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Elma WA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Elma WA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Elma WA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, 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 certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain 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 impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near Elma WA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Elma WA.

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