Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Whitehall Wisconsin

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Whitehall WI is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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. A number of Whitehall WI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Whitehall WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Whitehall WI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as 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 provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Whitehall 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Whitehall WI schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Wisconsin? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Whitehall WI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Whitehall WI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask 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 submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Wisconsin regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Whitehall WI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Wisconsin colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Whitehall WI medical community. And they are a plus 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. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Whitehall WI health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Whitehall WI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Whitehall WI

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Whitehall WI.

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