Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Merrillville Indiana

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Merrillville IN is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Merrillville IN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Merrillville IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Merrillville IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Merrillville 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just verify 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 online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Indiana school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Merrillville IN schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages 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 offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Merrillville IN. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Merrillville IN area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide 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 schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough 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 Merrillville IN phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Indiana programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care 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 establish relationships within the local Merrillville IN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Merrillville IN health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Merrillville IN, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Merrillville IN

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Merrillville IN.

Learn About Merrillville Indiana

 

 

More Interesting Indiana Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Boonville IN 47601

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mount Summit IN 47361

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Leiters Ford IN 46945

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Patriot IN 47038

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pine Village IN 47975

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hanover IN 47243

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Linden IN 47955

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Galveston IN 46932

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rossville IN 46065

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Michigan City IN 46360