Selecting a Phlebotomy School near La Crosse Wisconsin

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near La Crosse WI is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 La Crosse WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including La Crosse WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing 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 setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in La Crosse WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved La Crosse 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 part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind 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 school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the La Crosse WI programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in La Crosse WI. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative 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 online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few La Crosse WI local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested 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 find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any La Crosse WI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most 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 Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Wisconsin colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local La Crosse WI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the La Crosse WI healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near La Crosse WI, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with 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 so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near La Crosse WI

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in La Crosse WI.

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