Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Pepin Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Pepin WI is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. 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 choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Pepin WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Pepin WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pepin WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available 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 get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 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 essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers 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 dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Pepin 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. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Pepin WI colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Pepin WI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Pepin WI area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Pepin WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Pepin WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at 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 college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pepin WI medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Pepin WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Pepin WI

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pepin WI.

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