Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Hammond Indiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Hammond IN is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Hammond IN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Hammond IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can 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 training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hammond IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hammond IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Hammond IN schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Hammond IN. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some 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 start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Hammond IN area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hammond IN phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Hammond IN medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Hammond IN health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Hammond IN, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Hammond IN

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hammond IN.

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