Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Portage Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Portage MI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly 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 can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Portage MI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Portage MI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Portage MI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Portage 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy 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 approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Michigan college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Portage MI programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose 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 several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Portage MI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Portage MI area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Portage MI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Michigan colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Portage MI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Portage MI medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Portage 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 as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Program near Portage MI

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Portage MI.

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