Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Chippewa Falls Wisconsin

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Chippewa Falls WI is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to 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 evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Chippewa Falls WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Chippewa Falls WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Chippewa Falls WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Chippewa Falls WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Chippewa Falls WI colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium 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 securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Chippewa Falls WI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy 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 reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Chippewa Falls WI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Chippewa Falls WI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Wisconsin colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Chippewa Falls WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Chippewa Falls WI medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Chippewa Falls WI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Chippewa Falls WI

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Chippewa Falls WI.

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