Phlebotomist Classes
How to Pick the Best One Near Kenosha Wisconsin 

Perhaps the most important decision you must make to enter the gratifying healthcare vocation of phlebotomy is to select the best phlebotomy training near Kenosha WI. There are numerous training programs available to you and it can seem like a daunting task to investigate and analyze each one. Nevertheless it's important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior 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. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We'll review more about online classes later in this article. So when assessing phlebotomist training courses, location and cost shouldn’t be the sole parameters you are looking at. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online schools.

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Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most Kenosha WI employers require certification prior to hiring 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let's resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can't receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many Kenosha WI students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college 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 premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated 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 basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from Kenosha WI as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it's very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Kenosha WI job market.

What is the School's Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Kenosha WI clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Kenosha WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kenosha WI medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Kenosha WI, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

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Enroll in the Best Kenosha Phlebotomist Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kenosha Wisconsin.

 

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