Phlebotomist Schools
How to Choose the Best One Near Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin 

Perhaps the most serious decision you must make to enter the gratifying healthcare vocation of phlebotomy is to choose the best phlebotomy school near Pleasant Prairie WI. There are numerous training programs available to you and it might seem like a daunting undertaking to research and analyze each one. However, to ensure that you receive a quality education you must perform your due diligence prior to making your decision. In reality, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. And if you will drive to classes or attend them online is another consideration as well. We'll discuss more about online classes later in this article. So when evaluating phlebotomy training programs, location and cost shouldn’t be the sole parameters you are looking at. Researching 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 provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online classes.

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Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it's not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most Pleasant Prairie WI employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations 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, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it's essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let's dispel one likely misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many Pleasant Prairie WI students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (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 disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it's time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Pleasant Prairie WI in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Pleasant Prairie WI job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it's imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Pleasant Prairie WI clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Pleasant Prairie WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it's an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pleasant Prairie WI health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it's important to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pleasant Prairie WI, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Pleasant Prairie

Choose the Best Pleasant Prairie Phlebotomist Training Program

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best phlebotomist college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin.

 

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