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Phlebotomist Classes
How to Choose the Right One Near Green Valley Arizona 

Green Valley Arizona phlebotomist taking blood sample from patientAn important first step one must take to enter the fulfilling medical profession of phlebotomy is to choose the best phlebotomy school near Green Valley AZ. There are many training programs that are offered in your area and it might seem like an intimidating undertaking to research and analyze each one. Nevertheless it's necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Whether you will commute to classes or participate online is another consideration as well. Online courses will be discussed in greater detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomist training programs, location and cost must not be the only parameters you are looking at. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job assistance program must also be included in your due diligence process. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?

Green Valley Arizona phlebotomy technician holding two blood samplesFirst of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Green Valley AZ medical facilities, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right profession for you.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

Green Valley Arizona phlebotomist sorting test tube samples in rack

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most Green Valley AZ employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies 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, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

Green Valley Arizona female student attending phlebotomy classes onlineTo start with, let's dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can't receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Green Valley AZ students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Green Valley AZ in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have 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 Arizona or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Green Valley AZ job market.

What is the Program's Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Green Valley AZ hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Arizona school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough 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 looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Green Valley AZ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Green Valley AZ medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Green Valley AZ, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Get More Info on Becoming a Phlebotomist in Green Valley

Enroll in the Best Green Valley Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Green Valley Arizona.





 

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