Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Lake Linden Michigan

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Lake Linden MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. 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 select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lake Linden MI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Lake Linden MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Lake Linden MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lake Linden MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Lake Linden MI programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Lake Linden MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with 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 placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Lake Linden MI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lake Linden MI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lake Linden MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Lake Linden MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lake Linden MI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Lake Linden MI

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lake Linden MI.

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