Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Peshtigo Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Peshtigo WI is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Peshtigo WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Peshtigo WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Peshtigo WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt 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 principal certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Peshtigo 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 practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Peshtigo WI programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized 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 school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Peshtigo WI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those 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 begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Peshtigo WI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact 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. At a minimum, any Peshtigo WI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide 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 offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Peshtigo WI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Peshtigo WI health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Peshtigo WI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist College near Peshtigo WI

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Peshtigo WI.

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