How to Choose the Best Phlebotomist School near El Cerrito California

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near El Cerrito CA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision 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 evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other El Cerrito CA medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work with nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care 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 blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in El Cerrito CA labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as El Cerrito CA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of El Cerrito CA employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many El Cerrito CA students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior 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 right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from El Cerrito CA as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the El Cerrito CA job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? 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 check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several El Cerrito CA clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the colleges 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 typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local El Cerrito CA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the El Cerrito CA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near El Cerrito CA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomist Job Description El Cerrito CA

Fast Track Drawing Blood Education Near Me El Cerrito California

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit from state to state 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 diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Fast Track Drawing Blood Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Part Time Phlebotomy Classes.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in El Cerrito CA.

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