Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Benton Harbor Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Benton Harbor MI is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Benton Harbor MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Benton Harbor MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Benton Harbor MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After 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 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Benton Harbor MI 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 attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Benton Harbor MI schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares 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 highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Benton Harbor MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Benton Harbor MI local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Benton Harbor MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Benton Harbor MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Benton Harbor MI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Benton Harbor MI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist College near Benton Harbor MI

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Benton Harbor MI.

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