Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near North Lakewood Washington

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near North Lakewood WA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many North Lakewood WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as North Lakewood WA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in North Lakewood WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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 typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved North Lakewood WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 Washington campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the North Lakewood WA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Washington? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in North Lakewood WA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some North Lakewood WA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Washington 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any North Lakewood WA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Washington schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local North Lakewood WA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs 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 positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the North Lakewood WA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near North Lakewood WA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist School near North Lakewood WA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in North Lakewood WA.

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