Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Rice Lake Wisconsin

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Rice Lake WI is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Rice Lake WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Rice Lake WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw 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 drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Rice Lake WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once 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 before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rice Lake 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now 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 picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important 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 Rice Lake WI colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Rice Lake WI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Rice Lake WI local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Rice Lake WI phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Wisconsin schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Rice Lake WI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Rice Lake WI medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rice Lake WI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Rice Lake WI

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Rice Lake WI.

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