Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Susanville California

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Susanville CA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. 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 best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Susanville CA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Susanville CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Susanville CA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Susanville CA 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the California school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Susanville CA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to California? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Susanville CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place 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 also talk to some Susanville CA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Susanville CA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the California programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Susanville CA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Susanville CA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Susanville CA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Susanville CA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Susanville CA.

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