How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Augusta Wisconsin
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Augusta WI is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. 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 pick the ideal 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 Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Augusta WI medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be required 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 compassionate and very patient, this may be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomist Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Augusta WI 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 responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Augusta WI medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most Augusta WI employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Colleges
First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed 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 can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many Augusta WI students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Augusta WI as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Wisconsin? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages 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 qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Augusta WI job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? 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 important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Augusta WI clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Wisconsin school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Augusta WI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Augusta WI healthcare community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Augusta WI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Technician School Augusta WI
4 Week Phlebotomy Technician Programs Near Me Augusta Wisconsin
Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in 4 Week Phlebotomy Technician Programs Near Me and to get more information regarding Weekend Phlebotomy Tech Colleges. However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Augusta WI.
More Wisconsin Bloody Wonderful Locations
Augusta, Wisconsin
Augusta was formerly called Ridge Creek.[6] A post office has been in operation in Augusta since 1858.[7] The city was named in 1856 after Augusta, Maine.[8] Another theory holds that the town was named Augusta after citizens agreed to name the village after the prettiest girl in the area.[6]
The city lies on US Highway 12, which serves as the main east-west thoroughfare through town, and also lies on State Trunk Highway 27. It is ten miles north of Interstate 94, and 20 miles southeast of the City of Eau Claire.
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,550 people, 614 households, and 384 families residing in the city. The population density was 707.8 inhabitants per square mile (273.3/km2). There were 662 housing units at an average density of 302.3 per square mile (116.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.7% White, 0.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.
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