Phlebotomist Training Programs
How to Choose the Right One Near Cudahy Wisconsin 

Perhaps the most serious decision you must make to enter the gratifying medical vocation of phlebotomy is to select the best phlebotomy school near Cudahy WI. There are numerous training options that are offered in your area and it may seem like a daunting undertaking to research and compare each one. However it's necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. Quite often the two requirements that first are considered by student applicants are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We'll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the only criteria you are looking at. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

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Should You Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Cudahy WI medical facilities, well this profession may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect job for you.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most Cudahy WI employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let's resolve one potential misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many Cudahy WI students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior 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 best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Training Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want 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 Cudahy WI in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it's extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose 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 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 examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Cudahy WI job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it's imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Cudahy WI clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Cudahy WI medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing 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 college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Cudahy WI health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it's important to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cudahy WI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Get More Info on Becoming a Phlebotomist in Cudahy

Enroll in the Best Cudahy Phlebotomy Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cudahy Wisconsin.

 

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