Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Livonia Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Livonia MI is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant 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 need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Livonia MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Livonia MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Livonia MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Livonia 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 part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Livonia MI programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Michigan? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Livonia MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students 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 talk to some Livonia MI local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with 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 Livonia MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Livonia MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Livonia MI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Livonia MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Livonia MI

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Livonia MI.

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