Phlebotomy Training Schools near Paoli IN 47454 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Paoli Indiana

Paoli IN phlebotomist taking blood sample Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Paoli IN is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

Paoli IN phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Paoli IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Paoli IN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

Paoli IN phlebotomist holding blood sample There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Paoli IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training online in Paoli IN To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Paoli 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Paoli IN schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from 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 administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Paoli IN. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Paoli IN local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, 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 Paoli 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 below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Paoli IN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Paoli IN health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Paoli IN, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Paoli IN

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices 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 Paoli IN.