Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Leo Indiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Leo IN is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Leo IN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Leo IN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Leo IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. 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 two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Leo IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish 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. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Leo IN schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Indiana? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional 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 in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Leo IN. Finally, graduating 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 minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Leo IN local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Leo IN phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Leo IN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing 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 together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Leo IN healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Leo IN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Leo IN

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Leo IN.

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