Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Shoals Indiana

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Shoals IN is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select 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 Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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. Some Shoals IN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Shoals IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Shoals IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Shoals IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Shoals IN colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Indiana? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable 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 in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Shoals IN. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Shoals IN local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any Shoals IN phlebotomy 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 less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Indiana programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Shoals IN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Shoals IN medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shoals IN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Shoals IN

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shoals IN.

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