Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Pasadena California

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Pasadena CA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 Pasadena CA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Pasadena CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Pasadena CA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Pasadena CA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you 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 decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the California college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Pasadena CA colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical 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 extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Pasadena CA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Pasadena CA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the California regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Pasadena CA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the California colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Pasadena CA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Pasadena CA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pasadena CA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate 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 strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Pasadena CA

Making certain that you choose the right 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 a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit 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 need to diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pasadena CA.

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