Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Livingston Illinois

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Livingston IL is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Livingston IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Livingston 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 seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Livingston IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Livingston IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Livingston IL schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Livingston IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Livingston IL local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. 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 total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Livingston IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Illinois colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Livingston IL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Livingston IL health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Livingston IL, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Livingston IL

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Livingston IL.

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