Picking a Phlebotomist School near Waukesha Wisconsin

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Waukesha WI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 Waukesha WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Waukesha WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Waukesha WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include 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 four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Waukesha WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing 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 Waukesha WI programs you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick 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 program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Waukesha WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Waukesha WI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Waukesha WI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Wisconsin colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Waukesha WI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Waukesha WI health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Waukesha WI, make sure 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 certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Waukesha WI

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Waukesha WI.

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