Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Jackson Wisconsin

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Jackson WI is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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. Some Jackson WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Jackson WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Jackson WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Jackson WI 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Jackson WI programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? 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 requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school 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 many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Jackson WI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Jackson WI local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Jackson WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Jackson WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing 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 college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Jackson WI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Jackson WI, make certain 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Jackson WI

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Jackson WI.

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