Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Duluth Minnesota

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Duluth MN is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as 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 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 afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Duluth MN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Duluth MN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers 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 on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Duluth MN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered 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 provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to 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 some 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 enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Duluth MN 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-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 Minnesota college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Duluth MN schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Minnesota? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Minnesota or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized 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 school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Duluth MN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Duluth MN local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Minnesota school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Minnesota regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Duluth MN phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Minnesota programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Duluth MN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Duluth MN medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Duluth MN, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Duluth MN

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Duluth MN.

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