Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Tacoma Washington

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Tacoma WA is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must 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 reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Tacoma WA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Tacoma WA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Tacoma WA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps 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 likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Tacoma WA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many 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 alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Washington campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Tacoma WA schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Washington? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Tacoma WA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Tacoma WA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Washington school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the Washington regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Tacoma WA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Washington colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Tacoma WA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask 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 positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Tacoma WA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Tacoma WA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. 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 ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Tacoma WA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Tacoma WA.

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