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

Perhaps the most serious decision you must make to enter the fulfilling medical vocation of phlebotomy is to choose the right phlebotomy school near Stevens Point WI. There are many training options that are offered in your area and it might seem like an intimidating task to research and compare each one. However it's important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Whether you will commute to classes or participate online is another consideration as well. Online classes will be discussed in more detail a bit later. So when comparing phlebotomy training programs, cost and location must not be the only criteria you are looking at. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let's address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Stevens Point WI laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren't sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Stevens Point WI employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it's important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let's dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can't get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some Stevens Point WI students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Certificate or Degree Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it's time to begin 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Stevens Point WI as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making 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 Specific to Wisconsin? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Stevens Point WI job market.

What is the Program's Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it's important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Stevens Point WI clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working 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 reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Stevens Point WI medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Stevens Point WI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it's important to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stevens Point WI, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Find Out About Becoming a Phlebotomist in Stevens Point

Choose the Best Stevens Point Phlebotomy Training Program

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

Stevens Point Phlebotomy Schools Near Me | Stevens Point Phlebotomy Training Near Me