Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Silverthorne Colorado

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Silverthorne CO is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Silverthorne CO phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Silverthorne CO hospitals, medical clinics, 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. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Silverthorne CO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, 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 offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Silverthorne CO healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Colorado campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Silverthorne CO programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized 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 aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Silverthorne CO. Finally, 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 phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Silverthorne CO local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Colorado school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Colorado 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. As a minimum, any Silverthorne CO phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Colorado colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Silverthorne CO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Silverthorne CO medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Silverthorne CO, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Silverthorne CO

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Silverthorne CO.

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