Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Black River Falls Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Black River Falls WI is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may 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 a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to 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 evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Black River Falls WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Black River Falls WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Black River Falls WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route 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. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing 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 superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Black River Falls WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Black River Falls WI programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Black River Falls WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, 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 looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Black River Falls WI area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Wisconsin 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Black River Falls WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most 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 Provided? Find out from the Wisconsin schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Black River Falls WI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Black River Falls WI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Black River Falls WI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Black River Falls WI

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Black River Falls WI.

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