Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near North Liberty Iowa

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near North Liberty IA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider 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 keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many North Liberty IA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including North Liberty IA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in North Liberty IA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved North Liberty IA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school 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 receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Iowa college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the North Liberty IA schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Iowa? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable 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 an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in North Liberty IA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. 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 research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some North Liberty IA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Iowa school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Iowa regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any North Liberty IA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Iowa schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local North Liberty IA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide 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 school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the North Liberty IA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near North Liberty IA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near North Liberty IA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. 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 education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in North Liberty IA.

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