Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Hawarden Iowa

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Hawarden IA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hawarden IA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Hawarden IA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, 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 drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hawarden IA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative 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 Training

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hawarden IA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Iowa college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Hawarden IA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Iowa? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hawarden IA. Finally, 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 Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools 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 placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Hawarden IA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Iowa school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Iowa regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Hawarden IA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Iowa colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Hawarden IA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hawarden IA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hawarden IA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Hawarden IA

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hawarden IA.

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