Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Lewiston California
Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Lewiston CA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.
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Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Lewiston CA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Lewiston CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Lewiston CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lewiston CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online 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 best choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Lewiston CA colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Lewiston CA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Lewiston CA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the California 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 Lewiston CA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Find out from the California programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lewiston CA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Lewiston CA healthcare community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lewiston CA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental 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 outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.Select the Right Phlebotomy School near Lewiston CA
Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lewiston CA.
Learn About Lewiston California
Lewiston, California
Lewiston is a census-designated place (CDP) in Trinity County, California, United States. The population was 1,193 at the 2010 census, down from 1,305 at the 2000 census.
Lewiston is located at 40°41′57″N 122°48′38″W / 40.69917°N 122.81056°W / 40.69917; -122.81056 (40.699213, -122.810684).[2]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 51.8 square kilometers (20.0 sq mi), all land.
This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lewiston has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[3]
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