Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Grand Rapids Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Grand Rapids MI is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Grand Rapids MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Grand Rapids MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Grand Rapids MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Grand Rapids MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Grand Rapids MI schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, 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 getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Grand Rapids MI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place 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 also. You can also talk to some Grand Rapids MI local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Grand Rapids MI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Grand Rapids MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Grand Rapids MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Grand Rapids MI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Grand Rapids MI

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Grand Rapids MI.

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