Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Wheaton Illinois

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Wheaton IL is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes 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 factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

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 needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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. Many Wheaton IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Wheaton IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing 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.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Wheaton IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Wheaton IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Wheaton IL colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, 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 prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Wheaton IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Wheaton IL local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Wheaton 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 less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Wheaton IL health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Wheaton IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Wheaton IL, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Wheaton IL

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Wheaton IL.

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