Phlebotomist Training
How to Find the Right One Near Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie WI. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However, to guarantee that you will get a quality education you must complete a detailed audit prior to making your selection. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Whether you will drive to classes or attend them online is another consideration as well. Online classes will be covered in greater detail a bit later. What's important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Researching if the program is accredited or if the school has a job assistance program should also be part of your due diligence process. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let's cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient's data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Sun Prairie WI labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren't enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with 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, even though it's not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor's Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Sun Prairie WI employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it's important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let's dispel one potential misconception. You can't get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many Sun Prairie WI students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it's time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is significant if you will be commuting from Sun Prairie WI in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it's very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in 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 school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Sun Prairie WI job market.

What is the College's Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it's imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start 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 ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Sun Prairie WI hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Sun Prairie WI health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it's an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Sun Prairie WI medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it's critical to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Sun Prairie WI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become a Phlebotomist in Sun Prairie

Pick the Best Sun Prairie Phlebotomy Training

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomist college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sun Prairie Wisconsin.

 

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