Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Birmingham Michigan

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Birmingham MI is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing 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 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 ideal 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 Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Birmingham MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Birmingham MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Birmingham MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Birmingham MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Birmingham MI programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, 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 loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Birmingham MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges 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 assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Birmingham MI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Michigan 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 Birmingham MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Birmingham MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Birmingham MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Birmingham MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Birmingham MI

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each school 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 pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Birmingham MI.

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