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Phlebotomist Courses
How to Pick the Best One Near Chandler Arizona 

Chandler Arizona phlebotomy tech withdrawing blood from patientPicking the right phlebotomy training near Chandler AZ is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However, to guarantee that you will get a quality education you must perform your due diligence prior to making your decision. More often than not the two qualifications that initially are considered by prospective students are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. Online schools will be discussed in more detail a bit later. What's important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should 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 choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online training.

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Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

Chandler Arizona phlebotomy tech sorting blood samples in rack

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Chandler AZ employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

Chandler Arizona female student attending phlebotomy classes onlineFirst, let's dispel one possible misconception. You can't receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many Chandler AZ students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Chandler AZ as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Arizona? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it's extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Arizona or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Chandler AZ job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it's important to check out the reputations of any 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 assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Chandler AZ hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Arizona school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Chandler AZ medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Chandler AZ health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it's critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Chandler AZ, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Learn More About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Chandler

Enroll in the Right Chandler Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Chandler Arizona.





 

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