Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Mauston Wisconsin

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Mauston WI is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right 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.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Mauston WI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Mauston WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Mauston WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential 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.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Mauston WI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Wisconsin school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Mauston WI colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Wisconsin? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing 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 practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Mauston WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Mauston WI area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Mauston WI phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Wisconsin programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Mauston WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Mauston WI medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mauston WI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near Mauston WI

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Mauston WI.

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