Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Dunkirk Indiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Dunkirk IN is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision 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 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 resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Dunkirk IN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Dunkirk IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Dunkirk IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Dunkirk IN 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. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding 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 wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Dunkirk IN colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Dunkirk IN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Dunkirk IN area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Indiana 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. At a minimum, any Dunkirk IN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Indiana programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Dunkirk IN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dunkirk IN medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dunkirk IN, check that they are available 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 study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out 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 Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Dunkirk IN

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dunkirk IN.

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