Picking a Phlebotomy School near Spring Valley Wisconsin

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Spring Valley WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Spring Valley WI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Spring Valley WI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Spring Valley WI, which are certificate and degree 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 fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Spring Valley 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Wisconsin school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Spring Valley WI programs you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Spring Valley WI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive 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 in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Spring Valley WI local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Spring Valley WI phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 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 colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Spring Valley WI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Spring Valley WI healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Spring Valley WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Spring Valley WI

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Spring Valley WI.

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