Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Gurnee Illinois

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Gurnee IL is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. Many Gurnee IL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Gurnee IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Gurnee IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Gurnee 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Gurnee IL colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as 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 superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Gurnee IL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Gurnee IL local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Gurnee IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Gurnee IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Gurnee IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Gurnee IL, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Gurnee IL

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gurnee IL.

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