Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Earl Park Indiana

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Earl Park IN is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Earl Park IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Earl Park IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Earl Park IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Earl Park IN 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana campus 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 a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Earl Park IN schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national 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 superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Earl Park IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Earl Park IN local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted 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 find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Earl Park IN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Indiana schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Earl Park IN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide 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 an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Earl Park IN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Earl Park IN, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Earl Park IN

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Earl Park IN.

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