Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Richfield Wisconsin

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Richfield WI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes 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 variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to 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 evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 Richfield WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Richfield WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Richfield WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Richfield 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. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Richfield WI colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Richfield WI. Finally, graduating 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Richfield WI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Richfield WI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Richfield WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Richfield WI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Richfield WI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Richfield WI

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist 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 comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Richfield WI.

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