Now that you finally are enrolled and are preparing to attend class, you need to devise a checklist to keep yourself organized. Unlike when you were in high school, shopping for clothes isn’t the most important part of getting ready for class. In fact, preparing for class takes a whole new meaning when you’re taking classes at a college level.
Prerequisites
Graduating from high school is the first step to prepare yourself for training for a phlebotomy career. If you’re unable to receive your high school diploma, earning the equivalent of one will suffice. If you’re currently still enrolled in high school, you should take classes that will assist you with the phlebotomy curriculum. You’ll also want these classes to be on your transcript, which will stand out when you’re being considered.
Use our links to direct you to your school’s website. Each school has a list of prerequisites that you must have prior to admission. For instance, Loma Linda University requires you to have your CPR certification from the American Heart Association prior to enrollment. Not all schools have this prerequisite though. In fact, many schools have a curriculum composed of CPR/first aid training.
Vaccinations are oftentimes a requirement for enrollment. This usually consists of your MMR and your TdaP. Your hepatisis B vaccine should also be up-to-date, as well as your chicken pox vaccine. In addition, you’ll need to have a recent PPD skin test for majority of schools.
Depending on the school, you may have to undergo a background check. Certain aspects of your past may be forgiven depending on the offense, so make sure you consult with a representative from the school if you have any criminal history. Drug screening is sometimes necessary, but this is determined by the school.
Supplies
You’ll obviously need to purchase the basic school supplies, such as pencils and notebooks; however, larger colleges may need you to have a laptop. Books may also be needed, so consult with your school. Remember, you can purchase used books for lesser money, but that is dependent upon the books you need and your school’s policy.
During your time in a clinical setting, you’ll want scrubs. Actually, it is a requirement for most schools that you wear scrubs. The school may supply you with special ones that say their name on it or are a certain color.
You’ll need a kit with supplies to draw blood. For most schools, you can purchase the kit as part of your tuition. Inside the kit, you’ll notice test tubes, tourniquets and butterfly needles, just to name a few. You may additionally need a stethoscope or other similar medical supplies, but these are typically supplied by the school.