Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Harbor Springs Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Harbor Springs MI is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly 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 screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Some Harbor Springs MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Harbor Springs MI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Harbor Springs MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Harbor Springs MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Harbor Springs MI colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Harbor Springs MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Harbor Springs MI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Harbor Springs MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Harbor Springs MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 Harbor Springs MI health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Harbor Springs MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Program near Harbor Springs MI

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Harbor Springs MI.

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