Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Mount Angel Oregon

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Mount Angel OR is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Mount Angel OR phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Mount Angel OR medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Mount Angel OR, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers 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 provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are a few states that do call for 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 phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mount Angel OR 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Oregon college is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Mount Angel OR colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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 has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Mount Angel OR. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Mount Angel OR local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Oregon school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Oregon 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Mount Angel OR phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Oregon programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Mount Angel OR healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Mount Angel OR health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Angel OR, check that they are available 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Mount Angel OR

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Mount Angel OR.

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