Finding the Right School
May 16, 2012
Whether you are already in the health care field and looking to change careers or are about to begin your journey to becoming a professional phlebotomist, choosing the right phlebotomy training is crucial. Some of the things that you need to consider before you begin your search are:
- Course Delivery Method – Whether you are looking for an online phlebotomy certification class or plan to attend a traditional college will depend heavily on your current personal and professional commitments. Many students are not able to leave their jobs or are busy raising a family and not able to attend full-time classes. Online programs can offer the same high caliber instruction in theory as those of traditional colleges. The key factor in choosing an online course of study is that in order to be eligible to write your phlebotomy certification exams, students must have a certain number of actual blood draws performed on real patients. For those already working in the health care field, it may be possible to complete your practicum at your place of work. Others will want to make certain that the online institution provides opportunities to train in an approved clinic for their hands-on experience. It is also important to ensure that the program is accredited through one of the professional accrediting agencies in your state.
- Tuition – How you plan to finance your schooling is also an important consideration. Many accredited phlebotomy schools do offer financial assistance through student loans for those that qualify. Always speak to an admissions officer at the schools you are considering and ask about their financing options.
- Prerequisites – Make sure that you find out what the prerequisites are for each school you are interested in attending. Different states and schools may have their own specific prerequisites for admission into their phlebotomy programs. It is better to find this out before you begin any application process. It may be that there are certain courses from high school that you must have in order to enroll in their program. Once again, speaking with an admissions officer from each school that you are considering will give you all the information you need.
It is important to take some time to do a little research before deciding which school will best suit your needs. The more information you have the better equipped you will be to make the right choice for your future.
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