Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Oswego Illinois

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Oswego IL is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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. Some Oswego IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Oswego IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Oswego IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Oswego 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Oswego IL colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Oswego 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 many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Oswego IL local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any Oswego IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oswego IL medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Oswego IL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oswego IL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Oswego IL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. 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 proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oswego IL.

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