Picking a Phlebotomy School near Grandville Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Grandville MI is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Grandville MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Grandville MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Grandville MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Grandville 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Grandville MI programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Grandville MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Grandville 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 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 Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Grandville 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 below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Grandville MI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Grandville MI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Grandville MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Grandville MI

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Grandville MI.

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