Phlebotomist Training Courses
How to Find the Right One Near Green Bay Wisconsin 

A critical first step one must take to enter the rewarding medical vocation of phlebotomy is to choose the best phlebotomy training near Green Bay WI. There are a number of training options that are offered in your area and it can seem like an intimidating undertaking to research and compare each one. Nevertheless it's necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. And if you will commute to classes or attend them online is an option you need to consider as well. Online courses will be discussed in more detail a bit later. What's important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Finding out if the program is accredited or if the school has a job assistance program should also be included in your due diligence process. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Green Bay WI laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren't sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of Green Bay WI employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let's dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can't receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some Green Bay WI students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Training Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Green Bay WI as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may 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 practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Green Bay WI job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Green Bay WI clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 Adequate Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Green Bay WI health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Green Bay WI health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it's critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Green Bay WI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

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Enroll in the Right Green Bay Phlebotomist Training

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Green Bay Wisconsin.

 

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