Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Lahaina Hawaii

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Lahaina HI is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, 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 right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Lahaina HI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Lahaina HI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Lahaina HI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lahaina HI 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Hawaii campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Lahaina HI colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Hawaii or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Lahaina HI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Lahaina HI local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Hawaii school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Hawaii regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lahaina HI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Hawaii schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Lahaina HI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lahaina HI medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lahaina HI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend 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 should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Lahaina HI

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lahaina HI.

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