Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Horicon Wisconsin

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Horicon WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important 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 including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Horicon WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Horicon WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Horicon WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest 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 phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Horicon WI 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might 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 Wisconsin college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Horicon WI schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Horicon WI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist 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 schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Horicon WI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Horicon WI phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Horicon WI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Horicon WI healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Horicon WI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Horicon WI

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Horicon WI.

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