Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Los Osos California
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Los Osos CA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.
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Phlebotomist Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Los Osos CA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Los Osos CA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Los Osos CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Classes
To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Los Osos CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program 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 obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. 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 Los Osos CA schools you are considering before making your final decision.
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 some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed 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 select 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example 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. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Los Osos CA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Los Osos CA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Los Osos CA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internships Included? Find out from the California colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Los Osos CA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Los Osos CA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Los Osos CA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.Find the Best Phlebotomist Course near Los Osos CA
Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Los Osos CA.
Learn About Los Osos California
Los Osos, California
Los Osos is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place[2] located along the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. The community is part of the 93402 and 93412 ZIP codes and area code 805. The population was 14,276 at the 2010 census.
Los Osos is located at 35°19'0" North, 120°50'8" West (35.316795, -120.835605).[3] The Elfin Forest, San Luis Obispo County is a notable natural area at Los Osos.
Los Osos is largely a bedroom community for San Luis Obispo, which is 10.6 miles east, and to a lesser extent, Morro Bay, which is 2.3 miles to the north. There is a small business district concentrated in just a few blocks along Los Osos Valley Road, and several shops servicing the Baywood section of Los Osos, near the bay. The rest of the town is almost entirely residential. Its population is approximately 16,000 and total population at build-out is limited to approximately 26,000.
There are two roads connecting Los Osos to other communities: South Bay Boulevard, which leads to Morro Bay via Highway 1, and Los Osos Valley Road, which leads to San Luis Obispo. Inclement weather and road construction occasionally forces the closure of a route, possibly requiring detours to arrive at one's destination. This has been much less frequent since the Chorro Bridge replaced the Twin Bridges on South Bay Boulevard.
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