Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Erie Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Erie MI is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply 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 then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Erie MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Erie MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Erie MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 require 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 essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Erie 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. 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 college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing 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 each of the Erie MI schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills 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 phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Erie MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools 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 placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Erie MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Erie MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Erie MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Erie MI medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Erie MI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Erie MI

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Erie MI.

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