Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Lynnwood Washington

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Lynnwood WA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Lynnwood WA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Lynnwood WA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lynnwood WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lynnwood 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 Washington school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing 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 Lynnwood WA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lynnwood WA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Lynnwood WA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lynnwood WA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Washington colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lynnwood WA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Lynnwood WA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lynnwood WA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy College near Lynnwood WA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable 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 go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lynnwood WA.

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