Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Port Orchard Washington

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Port Orchard WA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Port Orchard WA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Port Orchard WA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Port Orchard WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Port Orchard 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Washington campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Port Orchard WA colleges you are looking at prior to 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 phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional 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 an assurance of a quality 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Port Orchard WA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many 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 important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Port Orchard WA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact 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 Port Orchard WA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

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

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer 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 college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Port Orchard WA health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Port Orchard WA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Port Orchard WA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Port Orchard WA.

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