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Phlebotomist Courses
How to Choose the Right One Near Gilbert Arizona 

Gilbert Arizona phlebotomy tech withdrawing blood from patientAn important first step one must take to enter the fulfilling medical vocation of phlebotomy is to choose the best phlebotomy training near Gilbert AZ. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Notwithstanding, to ensure that you will get a quality education you must perform your due diligence before making your decision. In fact, many students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Whether you will commute to classes or attend them online is an option you need to consider as well. Online classes will be discussed in greater detail a bit later. What's important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

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Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

Gilbert Arizona phlebotomist holding two blood samplesThe quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Gilbert AZ medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

Gilbert Arizona phlebotomist storing blood samples in rack

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of Gilbert AZ employers require certification before employing 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 important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

Gilbert Arizona female student attending phlebotomy classes onlineTo start with, let's resolve one possible misconception. You can't receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some Gilbert AZ students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Gilbert AZ as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Arizona or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Gilbert AZ job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it's important to check 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 assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Gilbert AZ clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Arizona school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Gilbert AZ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Gilbert AZ medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Gilbert AZ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And 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 procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Gilbert

Pick the Right Gilbert Phlebotomist Training Program

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Gilbert Arizona.





 

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