Phlebotomist Schools
How to Find the Right One Near Ashwaubenon Wisconsin 

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Ashwaubenon WI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Notwithstanding, to ensure that you will get a top-notch education you must perform your due diligence before making your decision. More often than not the two qualifications that initially are considered by prospective students are where the school is located and how much the tuition is. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We'll review more about online classes later in this article. So when comparing phlebotomy training courses, cost and location shouldn’t be the sole criteria you are looking at. Finding out if the program is accredited or if the school has a job placement program should also be included in your evaluation process. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Ashwaubenon WI labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren't enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most Ashwaubenon WI employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let's dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Ashwaubenon WI students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it's time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Ashwaubenon WI as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Ashwaubenon WI job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Ashwaubenon WI hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Ashwaubenon WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Ashwaubenon WI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's important to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ashwaubenon WI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Ashwaubenon

Choose the Right Ashwaubenon Phlebotomist Training Program

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ashwaubenon Wisconsin.

 

Ashwaubenon Phlebotomy Programs | Ashwaubenon Phlebotomy Schools