Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Tecumseh Michigan

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Tecumseh MI is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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. Some Tecumseh MI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Tecumseh MI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Tecumseh MI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Tecumseh MI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Michigan college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Tecumseh MI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Michigan? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Michigan or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several 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 qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Tecumseh MI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools 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 even talk to a few Tecumseh MI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Michigan school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, 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 Tecumseh MI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Michigan programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Tecumseh MI healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job 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 college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Tecumseh MI health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Tecumseh MI, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Tecumseh MI

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. 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 offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Tecumseh MI.

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