Phlebotomist Training
How to Choose the Right One Near Stevens Point Wisconsin 

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Stevens Point WI is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it's important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. More often than not the two requirements that initially come to mind for student applicants are the location of the school and the cost of tuition. And if you will commute to classes or participate online is another consideration as well. Online courses will be covered in more detail a bit later. So when evaluating phlebotomist training courses, location and cost shouldn’t be the sole parameters you are looking at. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address education options, licensing and certification, and online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most Stevens Point WI employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let's dispel one potential misconception. You can't obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some Stevens Point WI students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Stevens Point WI as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. 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 several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it's extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Stevens Point WI job market.

What is the School's Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Stevens Point WI hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Stevens Point WI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Stevens Point WI medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it's crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Stevens Point WI, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Find Out About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Stevens Point

Choose the Right Stevens Point Phlebotomy Training Program

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

Stevens Point Phlebotomy Programs Near Me | Stevens Point Phlebotomy Schools Near Me