How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Technician School near Baldwin Park California

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Baldwin Park CA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Baldwin Park CA medical facilities, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work with nervous people who hate needles or having their blood taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and 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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Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Baldwin Park CA labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Baldwin Park CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, 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 less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most Baldwin Park CA employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion 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. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many Baldwin Park CA students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Baldwin Park CA as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify 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 colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Baldwin Park CA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools 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 talk to several Baldwin Park CA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish 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 healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Baldwin Park CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning 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 Baldwin Park CA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Baldwin Park CA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Classes Baldwin Park CA

Local Phlebotomy Technician Colleges Near Me Baldwin Park California

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit 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 school prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Local Phlebotomy Technician Colleges Near Me and to get more information regarding Accelerated Drawing Blood Programs Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Baldwin Park CA.

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