Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Seward Alaska

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Seward AK is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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. Many Seward AK phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Seward AK hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Seward AK, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Seward AK healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Alaska school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Seward AK colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Alaska? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Alaska or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Seward AK. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Seward AK 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 check with the Alaska school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Alaska regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Seward AK phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Alaska colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Seward AK health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Seward AK healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Seward AK, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Seward AK

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Seward AK.

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