Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Woodland Hills California

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Woodland Hills CA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. 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 pick the right 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 Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Woodland Hills CA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Woodland Hills CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Woodland Hills CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Woodland Hills CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now 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 picked 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Woodland Hills CA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select 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 in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Woodland Hills CA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Woodland Hills CA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough 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. As a minimum, any Woodland Hills CA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 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 comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the California programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Woodland Hills CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Woodland Hills CA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Woodland Hills CA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Woodland Hills CA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Woodland Hills CA.

Learn About Woodland Hills California

 

 

More Interesting California Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hanford CA 93230

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Escalon CA 95320

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Red Bluff CA 96080

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Tujunga CA 91042

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Denair CA 95316

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Big Oak Flat CA 95305

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Buttonwillow CA 93206

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Goleta CA 93116

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Salida CA 95368

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bridgeport CA 93517