Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Greenville Wisconsin

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Greenville WI is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. 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 select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Greenville WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Greenville WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Greenville WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Greenville WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Greenville WI colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Greenville WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Greenville WI local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Greenville WI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Wisconsin colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Greenville WI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Greenville WI medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Greenville WI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Greenville WI

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greenville WI.

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