Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Grand Junction Colorado

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Grand Junction CO is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might 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’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed 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 screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Grand Junction CO phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Grand Junction CO hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Grand Junction CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Grand Junction CO healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 Colorado college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Grand Junction CO schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Colorado? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Grand Junction CO. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Grand Junction CO local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Colorado school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the Colorado 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Grand Junction CO phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Colorado colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Grand Junction CO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Grand Junction CO health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Grand Junction CO, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Grand Junction CO

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Grand Junction CO.

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