Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lombard Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Lombard IL is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. A number of Lombard IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Lombard IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lombard IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lombard IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Lombard IL schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lombard IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Lombard IL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer 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 colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lombard IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lombard IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Lombard IL medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lombard IL, make certain they are available 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 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Course near Lombard IL

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lombard IL.

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