Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Two Rivers Wisconsin

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Two Rivers WI is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior 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 option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Two Rivers WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Two Rivers WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Two Rivers WI, which are degree and certificate 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 quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Two Rivers 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 accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Two Rivers WI colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Two Rivers WI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Two Rivers WI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 Two Rivers WI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Two Rivers WI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Two Rivers WI healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Two Rivers WI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Two Rivers WI

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Two Rivers WI.

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