Phlebotomist Training Schools
How to Pick the Right One Near Oak Creek Wisconsin 

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Oak Creek WI is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However, to ensure that you will get a quality education you must perform your due diligence before making your decision. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. Online courses will be covered in more detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomist training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the only parameters you are looking at. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant 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 reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Oak Creek WI medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect job for you.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. 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. Available 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 furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most Oak Creek WI employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it's important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let's resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some Oak Creek WI students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Certificate or Degree Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Oak Creek WI as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Wisconsin? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require 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 working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, 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 a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Oak Creek WI job market.

What is the Program's Ranking? 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 the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Oak Creek WI clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Oak Creek WI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools 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 jobs, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Oak Creek WI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it's critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Oak Creek WI, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Oak Creek

Choose the Right Oak Creek Phlebotomy Training Program

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oak Creek Wisconsin.

 

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