Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Chesaning Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Chesaning MI is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Chesaning MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Chesaning MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Chesaning MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Chesaning MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Chesaning MI programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Chesaning MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Chesaning MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Chesaning MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Chesaning MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position 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 high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Chesaning MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Chesaning MI, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Chesaning MI

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Chesaning MI.

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