Picking a Phlebotomist School near Parker Colorado

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Parker CO is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession 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 make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Parker CO phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Parker CO medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Parker CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Parker CO 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-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Colorado school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Parker CO colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Parker CO. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Parker CO area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Colorado school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Colorado 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. At a minimum, any Parker CO phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Colorado colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Parker CO health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Parker CO medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Parker CO, make sure they are offered 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Parker CO

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Parker CO.

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