Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Island Lake Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Island Lake IL is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Island Lake IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Island Lake IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Island Lake IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although 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 finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Island Lake 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 part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior 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 best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Island Lake IL colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Island Lake IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges 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 internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Island Lake IL area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 Island Lake IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Island Lake IL medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Island Lake IL health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Island Lake IL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that relate 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 impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Island Lake IL

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Island Lake IL.

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