Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oak Park IL 60301

Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Oak Park Illinois

Oak Park IL phlebotomist taking blood sampleChoosing the right phlebotomy training near Oak Park IL is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess 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 obtain a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

Oak Park IL phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Oak Park IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Oak Park IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

Oak Park IL phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Oak Park IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies include:

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

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

attending phlebotomy training online in Oak Park ILTo start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Oak Park IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Oak Park IL programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing 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 practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school 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 many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Oak Park IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Oak Park IL area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Oak Park IL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Illinois colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Oak Park IL medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Oak Park IL health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oak Park IL, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Oak Park IL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oak Park IL.

Learn About Oak Park Illinois

Oak Park, Illinois

Oak Park is a village adjacent to the West Side of the city of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is the 29th largest municipality in Illinois as measured by population in the 2010 US Census,[3] and has easy access to downtown Chicago (the Chicago Loop) via public transportation including the CTA Blue and Green lines, buses, and Metra commuter rail. Pace buses serve the Village for travel within its borders and connecting to neighboring suburbs. As of the 2010 United States Census the Village had a total population of 51,878.[4]

Oak Park was settled beginning in the 1830s, with rapid growth later in the 19th century and early 20th century. It incorporated in 1902, breaking off from Cicero. Development was spurred by railroads and street cars connecting the village to jobs in Chicago. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright and his wife settled here in 1889. Population peaked at 66,015 in 1940. Smaller families led to falling population in the same number of homes and apartments. In the 1960s, Oak Park faced the challenge of racial integration, devising many strategies to integrate rather than re-segregate the village. Oak Park includes three historic districts for the historic homes: Ridgeland, Frank Lloyd Wright and Seward Gunderson, reflecting the focus on historic preservation. Several notable people were born here, or lived here while building their own families and careers, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Ernest Hemingway, Ray Kroc, Bob Newhart, Betty White, Dan Castellaneta and Tavi Gevinson.

In 1835, Joseph Kettlestrings, an immigrant from England, purchased 172 acres (70 ha)[5] of land just west of Chicago for a farm and their home. Once their children were born, they moved to Chicago for the schools in 1843, and moved back again in 1855 to build a more substantial home a bit east on their quarter section of land. More farmers and settlers had entered the area. Their land was called by several names locally, including Oak Ridge. When the first post office was set up, it could not use the name Oak Ridge as another post office was using that name in Illinois, so the post office chose Oak Park, and that name became the name for the settlement as it grew, and for the town when it incorporated in 1902.[5]

By 1850, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad was constructed as far as Elgin, Illinois, and passed through the settlement area.[6] In the 1850s the land on which Oak Park sits was part of the new Chicago suburb, the town of Cicero. The population of the area boomed during the 1870s, with Chicago residents resettling in Cicero following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and the expansion of railroads and street cars to the area. "In 1872, when Oak Park received its own railroad depot on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, its rapid emergence as a residential suburb of Chicago began. In 1877, the railroad was running thirty-nine trains daily between Oak Park and Chicago; in the subsequent year, more railroads and street car lines, with increased service, came to link Oak Park and Chicago. As Chicago grew from a regional center to a national metropolis Oak Park expanded – from 500 residents in 1872 to 1,812 in 1890, to 9,353 in 1900, to 20,911 in 1910, to 39,585 in 1920. Oak Park thus emerged as a leading Chicago suburb."[7]

 

 

The location could not be found.

More Interesting Illinois Cities

  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Savanna IL 61074
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Milledgeville IL 61051
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Country Club Hills IL 60478
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mount Sterling IL 62353
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Red Bud IL 62278
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Herscher IL 60941
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Nokomis IL 62075
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Shabbona IL 60550
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Evanston IL 60201
  • Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pittsfield IL 62363
  •  

     

    Business Results 1 - 5 of 153

    Unilab
    15 Reviews
    Phone:
    418 N Austin Blvd, Ste 2A, Oak Park, IL 60302
    West Suburban Hospital Medical Center
    46 Reviews
    Phone:
    3 Erie Ct, Oak Park, IL 60302
    Quest Diagnostics
    16 Reviews
    Phone:
    610 S Maple Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304
    Sassetti Marian, MD
    3 Reviews
    Phone:
    1010 Lake St, Ste 500, Oak Park, IL 60301
    West Suburban Midwife Associates, Ltd
    60 Reviews
    Phone:
    715 Lake St, Ste 273, Oak Park, IL 60301