How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Preston Washington
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Preston WA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Preston WA medical environments, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work around nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, 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 perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Preston WA labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Preston WA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Preston WA employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Colleges
To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Preston WA students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type 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 significant if you will be commuting from Preston WA in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Washington? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Washington or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many 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 sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Preston WA job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Preston WA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Washington school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist 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 below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Preston WA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Preston WA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Preston WA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy Career Training Near Me Preston WA
How to Enroll in Phlebotomist Training Preston Washington
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How to Enroll in Phlebotomist Training and to get more information regarding Online Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees. However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Preston WA.
More Washington Bloody Wonderful Locations
Preston, Washington
Preston is a historic mill town on the northeast edge of the large Tiger Mountain State Forest, along Interstate 90. Preston, elevation 430 ft (130 m), is located within commuting distance of Seattle and Bellevue.
The local Raging River feeds into the Snoqualmie River at Fall City, and offers recreational activities like fly-fishing and swimming. Eastside Fire & Rescue has an all-volunteer fire station, Station 74, staffed by residents of Preston and nearby communities, which serves the Preston area.
The Preston Community Club is a volunteer organization that was created to unite and protect the historic Preston community by organizing town events and acting as liaisons to local and state government. Several small stores have popped up as the area has grown, such as the Preston General store, Indoor Garden & Lighting, Coffee Too!, Subway, and the Preston Post Office. Several larger companies have taken advantage of Preston's accessibility, such as bottled water company Talking Rain, SanMar, and Platt.
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