Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Lewistown Illinois

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lewistown IL is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Lewistown IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Lewistown IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lewistown IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lewistown IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Lewistown IL colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with 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 phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lewistown IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Lewistown IL area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lewistown 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lewistown IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lewistown IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lewistown IL, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Lewistown IL

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lewistown IL.

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