Picking a Phlebotomy School near Camp Point Illinois

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Camp Point IL is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some Camp Point IL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Camp Point IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Camp Point IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Camp Point IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Camp Point IL colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Camp Point IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal 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 the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Camp Point IL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Camp Point IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Camp Point IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Camp Point IL health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Camp Point IL, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Camp Point IL

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Camp Point IL.

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