Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Marinette Wisconsin

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Marinette WI is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Marinette WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Marinette WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Marinette WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Marinette WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Marinette WI programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Marinette WI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous 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 investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Marinette WI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. 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 Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Marinette WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient 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 healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Marinette WI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Marinette WI health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Marinette WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Marinette WI

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Marinette WI.

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