Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Benton Wisconsin

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Benton WI is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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 Benton WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Benton WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Benton WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification before 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Benton WI 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-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program 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 receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Benton WI schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Benton WI. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Benton WI local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Wisconsin 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. As a minimum, any Benton WI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Wisconsin schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Benton WI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Benton WI medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Benton WI, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Benton WI

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Benton WI.

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