Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Geneva Illinois
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Geneva IL is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best 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 Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Geneva IL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Geneva IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. 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 new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Geneva IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. 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 provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Schools
To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Geneva 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Geneva IL schools you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. 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 practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Geneva IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Geneva IL local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Geneva IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Geneva IL medical community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Geneva IL medical community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Geneva IL, make certain they are available 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Geneva IL
Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Geneva IL.
Learn About Geneva Illinois
Geneva, Illinois
Geneva is a city in and the county seat of Kane County, Illinois, United States.[4] It is located on the western side of the Chicago suburbs.
Geneva is part of a tri-city area, located between St. Charles and Batavia.[5][6] As of a July 2011 official US Census Bureau estimate, the city had a total population of 21,707.[7] The area is currently experiencing a high level of population growth as Chicago's urban sprawl spreads farther west.
Geneva is a popular tourist destination with its scenic location along the Fox River and numerous shops and restaurants. There is an extensive bike trail system in Geneva including portions of the Fox River Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path. Geneva has an active historical society, the Geneva History Center, located in downtown Geneva as well as the Fabyan Windmill, an old Dutch windmill dating back to the 1850s. In 2013 it was nominated by Bloomberg Business Week as the best place to raise a kid in Illinois.[8]
Geneva is located at 41°53'9" North, 88°18'42" West (41.885722, −88.311771),[9] 36 miles (58 km) west of downtown Chicago.
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