Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Mercer Wisconsin

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Mercer WI is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Mercer WI phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Mercer WI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Mercer WI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Mercer 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior 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 best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might 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 college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Mercer WI programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Wisconsin? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may 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 prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination 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 schools in Mercer WI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Mercer WI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate 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. At a minimum, any Mercer WI phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Wisconsin colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Mercer WI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Mercer WI medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mercer WI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Mercer WI

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mercer WI.

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