Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Trafalgar Indiana

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Trafalgar IN is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far 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 must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Trafalgar IN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Trafalgar IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing 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 working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Trafalgar IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Trafalgar IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium 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 best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Trafalgar IN colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 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 respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Trafalgar IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Trafalgar IN area hospitals or clinics that you might 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 find out if any grievances 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Trafalgar IN phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Indiana programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Trafalgar IN health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Trafalgar IN medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Trafalgar IN, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Trafalgar IN

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Trafalgar IN.

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