How to Pick the Best Phlebotomist School near Schofield Wisconsin
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Schofield WI is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering two 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 local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.
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Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Schofield WI medical facilities, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to 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. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Schofield WI labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Schofield WI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many Schofield WI employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some Schofield WI students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Schofield WI in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Wisconsin? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations 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 amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Wisconsin or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Schofield WI job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to 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 refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Schofield WI clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Wisconsin school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Schofield WI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Schofield WI health care community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Schofield WI, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Technician Training Near Me Schofield WI
Evening Phlebotomy Colleges Schofield Wisconsin
Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Evening Phlebotomy Colleges and to get more information regarding Part Time Phlebotomist Programs. 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 phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Schofield WI.
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Schofield, Wisconsin
Schofield is a city in Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Wausau, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,169 at the 2010 census.[6] The city was named for Dr. William Scholfield, who came to the area in the 1840s to open a saw mill. The city has since dropped the "L" from its name.[7]
Schofield is located along the eastern shore of Lake Wausau, an impoundment of the Wisconsin River. Schofield also contains the Eau Claire Flowage and Eau Claire River (not to be confused with the Eau Claire River of Eau Claire, WI), which flows into Lake Wausau at Schofield. Schofield is directly south of Wausau, and is generally separated from the city by the Wausau Downtown Airport. An inner suburb of Wausau, Schofield is bordered by Rothschild, Weston, and the Town of Weston. Lake Wausau and Wausau serve as its western and northern borders. Schofield is located at 44°54′55″N 89°36′43″W / 44.91528°N 89.61194°W / 44.91528; -89.61194 (44.915201, -89.612004).[8]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 2,169 people, 994 households, and 549 families living in the city. The population density was 1,232.4 inhabitants per square mile (475.8/km2). There were 1,099 housing units at an average density of 624.4 per square mile (241.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 90.1% White, 1.2% African American, 0.8% Native American, 5.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.
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