Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Bloomington Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Bloomington IL is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Bloomington IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Bloomington IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Bloomington IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bloomington IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Bloomington IL programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. 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 Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Bloomington IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Bloomington IL local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bloomington IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Bloomington IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Bloomington IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bloomington IL, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Bloomington IL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bloomington IL.

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