Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Mount Prospect Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Mount Prospect IL is a critical initial 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 accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection 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 assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Mount Prospect IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Mount Prospect IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Mount Prospect IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 call for 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 pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Mount Prospect IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Mount Prospect IL programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Mount Prospect IL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Mount Prospect IL area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

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

Are Internships Sponsored? 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 typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Mount Prospect IL health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Mount Prospect IL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Prospect IL, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Mount Prospect IL

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mount Prospect IL.

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