Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Parker City Indiana

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Parker City IN is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start 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 local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Parker City IN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Parker City IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, 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 drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Parker City IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Parker City IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you 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 chosen 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 decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Parker City IN schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many 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 take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Parker City IN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Parker City IN area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. 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 Plenty of 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Parker City IN phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Parker City IN health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Parker City IN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Parker City IN, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Parker City IN

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school 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 right school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Parker City IN.

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