Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Find the Best One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin 

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Eau Claire WI is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. There are numerous training options that are offered in your area and it can seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each one. However it's necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. Online courses will be covered in greater detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the only parameters you are looking at. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let's cover education options, licensing and certification, and online schools.

It Takes Just a Few Minutes to Start Your Phlebotomy Career Below!

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method 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. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many Eau Claire WI employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification 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 obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many Eau Claire WI students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). 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 study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start 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 school is relevant if you will be commuting from Eau Claire WI in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Eau Claire WI job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Eau Claire WI hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Eau Claire WI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Eau Claire WI healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it's crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Eau Claire

Pick the Best Eau Claire Phlebotomy Training

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

Eau Claire Phlebotomy Schools | Eau Claire Phlebotomy Training