Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Dowagiac Michigan

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Dowagiac MI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Dowagiac MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Dowagiac MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Dowagiac MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dowagiac 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Dowagiac MI colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and preps 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 reputable 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 school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Dowagiac MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to 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 placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Dowagiac MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances 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 find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Dowagiac MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Dowagiac MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Dowagiac MI health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. 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 Dowagiac MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Dowagiac MI

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dowagiac MI.

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