Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Westmont Illinois

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Westmont IL is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important 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 assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Westmont IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Westmont IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists 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.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Westmont 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Westmont 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Westmont IL schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Westmont IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Westmont IL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Westmont IL phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Illinois programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Westmont IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Westmont IL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Westmont IL, make sure they are available 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Westmont IL

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Westmont IL.

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