Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Afton Wisconsin

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Afton WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Afton WI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Afton WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Afton WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Afton WI 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy 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 may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Afton WI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several 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 practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick 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 many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Afton WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Afton WI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Afton WI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Wisconsin schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Afton WI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 together with a large network of professional contacts within the Afton WI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Afton WI, make certain they are offered 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Afton WI

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Afton WI.

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