Picking a Phlebotomist School near Longview Washington

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Longview WA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Longview WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Longview WA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Longview WA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Longview WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Washington school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Longview WA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Longview WA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Longview WA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Longview WA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Washington programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Longview WA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Longview WA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Longview WA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Longview WA

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Longview WA.

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