Picking a Phlebotomy School near Oxford Michigan

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Oxford MI is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools 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 including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, 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 must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Oxford MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Oxford MI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Oxford MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route 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. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Oxford 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select 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 quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing 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 Oxford MI programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program 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 exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Oxford MI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Oxford MI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Michigan regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Oxford MI phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Michigan programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oxford MI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

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

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oxford MI, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical 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 due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Oxford MI

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oxford MI.

Learn About Oxford Michigan

 

 

More Interesting Michigan Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Atlanta MI 49709

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Vicksburg MI 49097

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Marquette MI 49855

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ashley MI 48806

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Alba MI 49611

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Beaverton MI 48612

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Howell MI 48843

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Manchester MI 48158

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hamtramck MI 48212

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lewiston MI 49756