Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Olympia Washington

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Olympia WA is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding 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. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose 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 Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Olympia WA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Olympia WA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of 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 collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Olympia WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method 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 phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Olympia WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Washington college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Olympia WA schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Olympia WA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive 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 some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Olympia WA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see 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 filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Olympia WA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Washington schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Olympia WA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher 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 Olympia WA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Olympia WA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you would like to answer 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 readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Olympia WA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Olympia WA.

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