Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Middleville Michigan

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Middleville MI is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Middleville MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Middleville MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Middleville MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Middleville MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish 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 online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Middleville MI colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Middleville MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Middleville MI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Middleville MI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Michigan programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Middleville MI medical 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 assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Middleville MI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Middleville MI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Middleville MI

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Middleville MI.

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