Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Harvey Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Harvey IL is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection 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 assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Harvey IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Harvey IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may 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 specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Harvey IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Harvey IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college 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 superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Harvey IL programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Harvey IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Harvey IL local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Harvey IL phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Illinois programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Harvey IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harvey IL medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Harvey IL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Harvey IL

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Harvey IL.

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