Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Louisville Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Louisville IL is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out 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. Some Louisville IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Louisville IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Louisville IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation 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 employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Louisville IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Louisville IL colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Louisville IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Louisville IL area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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. At a minimum, any Louisville IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Louisville IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Louisville IL medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Louisville IL, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Louisville IL

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit 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 need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Louisville IL.

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