Phlebotomist Classes
How to Pick the Best One Near Scottsdale Arizona 

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Scottsdale AZ is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. There are numerous training programs that are offered in your area and it may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each one. However it's vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. Quite often the two requirements that first come to mind for prospective students are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. Online classes will be covered in more detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomy training courses, 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 should 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 evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Scottsdale AZ medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work with nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right profession for you.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of Scottsdale AZ employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it's important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let's resolve one possible misconception. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Scottsdale AZ students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in 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 superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 campus is significant if you will be commuting from Scottsdale AZ in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Arizona? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Arizona or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Scottsdale AZ job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Scottsdale AZ clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Arizona school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with 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 phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Scottsdale AZ medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Scottsdale AZ health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's important to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Scottsdale

Pick the Right Scottsdale Phlebotomy Training Program

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

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