Phlebotomy Training Schools near Clearlake CA 95422

Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Clearlake California

Clearlake CA phlebotomist taking blood samplePicking the right phlebotomy technician school near Clearlake CA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember 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 significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

Clearlake CA phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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 Clearlake CA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for 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 they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Clearlake CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting 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 working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

Clearlake CA phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Clearlake CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

attending phlebotomy training online in Clearlake CATo start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Clearlake CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Clearlake CA colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take 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 unavailable for non-accredited schools in Clearlake CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Clearlake CA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Clearlake CA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the California colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Clearlake CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs 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 positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Clearlake CA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Clearlake CA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Clearlake CA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clearlake CA.

Learn About Clearlake California

Clearlake, California

Clearlake is a city in Lake County, California.[3] Clearlake is 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north-northwest of Lower Lake,[5] at an elevation of 1417 feet (432 m).[3] As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 15,250, up from 13,142 at the 2000 census. It takes its name from Clear Lake.

The Clearlake post office opened in 1923, "Konocti" then Clearlake Highlands until incorporation in 1981 when the official name became City of Clearlake.

The first inhabitants of Clearlake were the Pomo Indians who gave the name to many of the areas features including Mount Konocti. Beginning in 1821, enslavement and mistreatment by Spanish soldiers and missionaries, Mexican land barons, European settlers, and gold diggers, combined with a lack of natural immunity to European diseases, which resulted in a massive wave of deaths. The result of this was massive amounts of land freed up for the white settlers who arrived during the gold rush.[6]

Clearlake is located at 38°57'30" North, 122°37'35" West.[3]

 

 

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