Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Hamtramck Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Hamtramck MI is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hamtramck MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Hamtramck MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. 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 different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Hamtramck MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background 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, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hamtramck 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-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Hamtramck MI schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Hamtramck MI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. 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 assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Hamtramck 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 find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Hamtramck MI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Michigan colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Hamtramck MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Hamtramck MI health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hamtramck MI, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Program near Hamtramck MI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hamtramck MI.

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