How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Training Program near Brush Prairie Washington
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Brush Prairie WA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school 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 initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as 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 supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.
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Should You Become a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Brush Prairie WA medical facilities, well this job may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, 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 could be the perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomist Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Brush Prairie WA laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Brush Prairie WA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing 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 Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest 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 incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many Brush Prairie WA employers require certification prior to 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Training
To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Brush Prairie WA students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (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 obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Brush Prairie WA in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical 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 need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Washington 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 school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Brush Prairie WA job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Brush Prairie WA hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Brush Prairie WA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support 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, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Brush Prairie WA health care community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Brush Prairie WA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy Tech School Brush Prairie WA
Find Phlebotomy Tech Training Brush Prairie Washington
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Find Phlebotomy Tech Training and to get more information regarding Compare Phlebotomy Associates Degrees. However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Brush Prairie WA.
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Brush Prairie, Washington
Brush Prairie is located southwest of the center of Clark County at 45°43′44″N 122°32′32″W / 45.72889°N 122.54222°W / 45.72889; -122.54222 (45.728934, -122.542143).[4] It is bordered by Meadow Glade and Battle Ground to the north, Hockinson to the east, Orchards and Five Corners to the south, and Barberton to the west. Washington State Route 503 passes through the community, leading north 4 miles (6 km) to the center of Battle Ground and south 5 miles (8 km) to the start of the SR 500 freeway at the northern border of Vancouver.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,384 people, 868 households, and 671 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 304.8 people per square mile (117.7/km²). There were 902 housing units at an average density of 115.3/sq mi (44.5/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.14% White, 0.21% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.21% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population. 21.0% were of German, 8.9% United States or American, 8.7% Irish, 8.4% Norwegian, 6.8% English and 6.7% French ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.5% spoke English and 2.5% Spanish as their first language.
There were 868 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.3% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.6% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.11.
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