Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Sturgeon Bay WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Sturgeon Bay WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Sturgeon Bay WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Sturgeon Bay WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 several 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 choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Sturgeon Bay 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-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Sturgeon Bay WI schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Sturgeon Bay WI. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Sturgeon Bay WI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with 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 Sturgeon Bay WI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Wisconsin schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Sturgeon Bay WI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Sturgeon Bay WI health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Sturgeon Bay WI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 completed 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 Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Sturgeon Bay WI

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Sturgeon Bay WI.

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