Low Cost Phlebotomy Tech Schools Near Me Marion OR

How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Tech Training Program near Marion Oregon

Marion OR phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Marion OR is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Technician?

blood analysis performed in Marion OR lab Right out of the gate, few 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 go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Marion OR medical environments, well this job probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians routinely work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings 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 compassionate and very patient, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

Marion OR phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Marion OR laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Marion OR medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

Marion OR phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less 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 get certified. While not required in most states, most Marion OR employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies include:

National Phlebotomy Association
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

Marion OR student attending online phlebotomy classes First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial 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. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some Marion OR students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

What to ask Marion OR phlebotomy schools Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant if you will be commuting from Marion OR as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting 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 need to ask about each of the colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Oregon? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Oregon or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Marion OR job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Marion OR clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Oregon school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Marion OR healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Marion OR medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Marion OR, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomy Training Online Marion OR

Low Cost Phlebotomy Tech Schools Near Me Marion Oregon

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Low Cost Phlebotomy Tech Schools Near Me and to get more information regarding Best Phlebotomy Courses Near Me. However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Marion OR.