Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Grayslake Illinois

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Grayslake IL is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Grayslake IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Grayslake IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Grayslake IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along 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 phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Grayslake 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 component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Grayslake IL programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Grayslake IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Grayslake IL area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. 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 Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 Grayslake IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Grayslake IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Grayslake IL health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Grayslake IL, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Grayslake IL

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Grayslake IL.

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