Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Olympia Fields Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Olympia Fields IL is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Olympia Fields IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Olympia Fields IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Olympia Fields IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Olympia Fields 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Olympia Fields IL schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws 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 practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick 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 in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Olympia Fields IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Olympia Fields IL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Olympia Fields IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Olympia Fields IL health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Olympia Fields IL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Olympia Fields IL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study 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 should you need 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 a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Olympia Fields IL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Olympia Fields IL.

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