Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Pendleton Oregon

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Pendleton OR is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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. Some Pendleton OR phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Pendleton OR medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. 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 each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pendleton OR, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Pendleton 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want 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 cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Pendleton OR colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements 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 clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school 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 exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Pendleton OR. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students 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 even talk to some Pendleton OR local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Oregon school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Pendleton OR phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Oregon schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Pendleton OR healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at 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 Pendleton OR medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pendleton OR, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Pendleton OR

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pendleton OR.

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