Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Blue Mound Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Blue Mound IL is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to 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 has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Blue Mound IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Blue Mound IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Blue Mound IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Blue Mound IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Blue Mound IL schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Blue Mound IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Blue Mound IL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest 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 complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, 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. As a minimum, any Blue Mound IL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Illinois programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Blue Mound IL health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Blue Mound IL medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Blue Mound IL, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Blue Mound IL

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your final decision. 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 education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Blue Mound IL.

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