Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Fox Lake Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Fox Lake IL is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. 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 pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Fox Lake IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Fox Lake IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Fox Lake IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Fox Lake IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school 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 receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Fox Lake IL colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Fox Lake IL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Fox Lake IL local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Fox Lake IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing 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 furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Fox Lake IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Fox Lake IL health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Fox Lake IL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Fox Lake IL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Fox Lake IL.

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