Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Custer Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Custer MI is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Custer MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Custer MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Custer MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Custer MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Custer MI programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require 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 phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Custer MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges 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 online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Custer 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 final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Custer MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Custer MI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide 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 an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Custer MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Custer MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary 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 Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Custer MI

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Custer MI.

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