Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Saginaw Michigan

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Saginaw MI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Saginaw MI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Saginaw MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Saginaw MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Saginaw 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Saginaw MI colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Saginaw MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Saginaw MI area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Saginaw 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 may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Michigan programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Saginaw MI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Saginaw MI healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Saginaw MI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Saginaw MI

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Saginaw MI.

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