Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Course near Jamestown California

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Jamestown CA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need 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 selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are researching to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Jamestown CA area labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Jamestown CA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Jamestown CA junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of Jamestown CA employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many Jamestown CA students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Jamestown CA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Jamestown CA job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Jamestown CA hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the California school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing 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 furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the Jamestown CA training program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with Jamestown CA health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Jamestown medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Jamestown CA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Jamestown CA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Jamestown CA?

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Training Program near Jamestown CA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Jamestown CA.

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