Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Rantoul Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Rantoul IL is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into 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 you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to 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 pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Rantoul IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Rantoul IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Rantoul IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 call for 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 imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rantoul 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-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind 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 school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Rantoul IL schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Rantoul IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Rantoul IL local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Rantoul IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 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 comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Illinois programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Rantoul IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

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

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select offers 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 need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rantoul IL, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Rantoul IL

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Rantoul IL.

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