Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Schererville Indiana

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Schererville IN is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Schererville IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Schererville IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Schererville IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Schererville IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Schererville IN schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Schererville IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Schererville IN local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Schererville IN phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Schererville IN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Schererville IN healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Schererville IN, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Schererville IN

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Schererville IN.

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