Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Newton Illinois

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Newton IL is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Newton IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Newton IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Newton IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newton 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. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Newton IL programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Newton IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Newton IL local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested 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 complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Newton IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Illinois programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Newton IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Newton IL medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Newton IL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Newton IL

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Newton IL.

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