Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Valparaiso Indiana

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Valparaiso IN is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. Many Valparaiso IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Valparaiso IN hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Valparaiso IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method 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 phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Valparaiso 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 part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college 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 quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might 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 school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Valparaiso IN schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Valparaiso IN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Valparaiso IN area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with 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 Valparaiso IN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Indiana schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Valparaiso IN medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering 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 a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Valparaiso IN medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Valparaiso IN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, 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 protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Valparaiso IN

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important 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 college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Valparaiso IN.

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