Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Bergland Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Bergland MI is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Bergland MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Bergland MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Bergland MI, which are degree and certificate 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bergland 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-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. 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 arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Bergland MI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

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

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Bergland MI. 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 Program’s Reputation? In a number of 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 imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Bergland MI local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Michigan 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 Bergland MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Bergland MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bergland MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bergland MI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Bergland MI

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bergland MI.

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