Phlebotomy Training Schools near Westminster CO 80030

Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Westminster Colorado

Westminster CO phlebotomist taking blood sampleSelecting the right phlebotomist school near Westminster CO is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

Westminster CO phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Westminster CO phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Westminster CO medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

Westminster CO phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Westminster CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method 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 phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training online in Westminster COTo start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Westminster 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Westminster CO programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Westminster CO. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Westminster CO local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Colorado school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Colorado regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Westminster CO phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Colorado colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Westminster CO healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Westminster CO healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Westminster CO, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Program near Westminster CO

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Westminster CO.

Learn About Westminster Colorado

Westminster, Colorado

Westminster is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver. The Westminster Municipal Center is located 9 miles (14 km) north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol. The United States Census Bureau estimates that the city population was 106,114 on April 1, 2010 Census.[7] Westminster is the seventh most populous city in the state of Colorado and the 237th most populous city in the United States. Westminster is a part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Denver-Aurora-Boulder Combined Statistical Area. In July 2006, it was ranked as the 24th best place to live in the USA by Money magazine.[8]

Gold discovered in the South Platte River Valley in 1858 brought national attention to the area that would become Westminster, Colorado. The promise of fortune and the Land Act of 1862 encouraged many settlers from the east to make Colorado their home instead of heading on to California. Before the settlements came, wildlife like antelope and buffalo made their homes in this area. There is also evidence of Arapaho Indians near the Crown Point (Gregory Hill) area.[9]

After the first permanent white settler, Pleasant DeSpain, built his home in 1870 on 160 acres (near what is now West 76th Avenue and Lowell Street), the area became known as DeSpain Junction and began attracting other settlers including horse breeder Edward Bruce Bowles who was instrumental in constructing the town's train depot in 1881. In 1885, Connecticut real estate developer C. J. Harris arrived in DeSpain Junction and began buying up land. Soon the town was renamed Harris, but was also known as Darell Park.[9]

In 1891, construction began on the Westminster Castle, which can still be seen as of today at West 83rd Avenue and Federal Boulevard. By 1911, the town had incorporated and was renamed one final time to Westminster, in honor of Westminster University.[10]

 

 

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