Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Woodruff Wisconsin

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Woodruff WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. 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 right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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 Woodruff WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Woodruff WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Woodruff WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing 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 handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Woodruff 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Woodruff WI schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Woodruff 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 a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools 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 assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Woodruff WI area 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 complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Woodruff WI phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Wisconsin schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Woodruff WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Woodruff WI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Woodruff WI, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Woodruff WI

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Woodruff WI.

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