How to Choose the Best Phlebotomy Tech School near Fairfax Minnesota
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Fairfax MN is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
Right out of the gate, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short 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 needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Fairfax MN medical environments, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists 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 needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Fairfax MN labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Fairfax MN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most Fairfax MN employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some Fairfax MN students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a basic 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 wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Fairfax MN in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some 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 might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Minnesota or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 school aside from a guarantee 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Fairfax MN job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Fairfax MN hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Minnesota school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount 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 less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Fairfax MN healthcare 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 assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer 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 an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Fairfax MN medical community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Fairfax MN, check that 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Phlebotomist Fairfax MN
Local Phlebotomy Technician Education Fairfax Minnesota
Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Local Phlebotomy Technician Education and to get more information regarding Accelerated Drawing Blood Classes Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Fairfax MN.
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Fairfax, Minnesota
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,235 people, 513 households, and 327 families residing in the city. The population density was 950.0 inhabitants per square mile (366.8/km2). There were 577 housing units at an average density of 443.8 per square mile (171.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.6% White, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 6.3% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.3% of the population.
There were 513 households of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.3% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.87.
The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
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