Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Harrington Washington

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Harrington WA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Harrington WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Harrington WA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Harrington WA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Harrington WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Washington campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Harrington WA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Washington? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Harrington WA. Last, 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 College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Harrington WA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Washington 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Harrington WA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Washington schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Harrington WA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Harrington WA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Harrington WA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, 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 protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Harrington WA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing 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 training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harrington WA.

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