Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Stanwood Washington

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Stanwood WA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal 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.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Stanwood WA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Stanwood WA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Stanwood WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 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 enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Stanwood 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Stanwood WA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Stanwood WA. Last, 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 School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Stanwood WA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. 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 total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Stanwood WA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 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 comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Washington colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Stanwood WA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Stanwood WA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Stanwood WA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities 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 general interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Stanwood WA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Stanwood WA.

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