How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Strasburg Colorado
Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Strasburg CO is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.
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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Technician?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Strasburg CO medical environments, well this profession may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it 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 could be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Strasburg CO labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Strasburg CO medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most Strasburg CO employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Colleges
To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many Strasburg CO students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select 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 approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is relevant if you will be commuting from Strasburg CO in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Colorado or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, 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 securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Strasburg CO job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Strasburg CO clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Colorado school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Strasburg CO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Strasburg CO medical community.
Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Strasburg CO, 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 study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
How To Be A Phlebotomist Strasburg CO
Phlebotomy Skills Strasburg Colorado
Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Skills and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Training Length. However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Strasburg CO.
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Strasburg, Colorado
Strasburg is a census-designated place (CDP) in Adams and Arapahoe counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. The population was 2,447 at the 2010 census,[3] up from 1,402 at the 2000 census.[4] The Strasburg Post Office has the ZIP Code 80136.[2]
Strasburg is located at 39°44′10″N 104°19′43″W / 39.73611°N 104.32861°W / 39.73611; -104.32861 (39.736047, -104.328494).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 20.82 square miles (53.93 km2), of which 20.80 square miles (53.86 km2) is land and 0.023 square miles (0.06 km2), or 0.12%, is water.[3]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,402 people, 503 households, and 393 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 181.1 people per square mile (69.9/km²). There were 532 housing units at an average density of 68.7 per square mile (26.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 95.44% White, 1.28% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.71% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.85% of the population.
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