Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Menomonie Wisconsin 

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Menomonie WI is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. There are numerous training options that are offered in your area and it can seem like an intimidating task to research and analyze each one. However, to ensure that you will get a quality education you must complete a detailed audit prior to making your decision. Quite often the two qualifications that first are considered by prospective students are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We'll discuss more about online classes later in this article. So when assessing phlebotomy training courses, location and cost must not be the only parameters you are looking at. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online training.

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Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Menomonie WI employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let's resolve one likely misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many Menomonie WI students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose 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 method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Training Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Menomonie WI as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick 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 program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Menomonie 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 caliber. So along with accreditation, it's imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Menomonie WI hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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. At 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Menomonie WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Menomonie WI medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it's critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Menomonie WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure 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 due to emergencies or illness.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Menomonie

Enroll in the Best Menomonie Phlebotomist Training

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen 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 select the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Menomonie Wisconsin.

 

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