Picking a Phlebotomy School near Emporia Kansas

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Emporia KS is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Emporia KS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked 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 diverse, such as Emporia KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Emporia KS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Emporia KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kansas campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Emporia KS schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Emporia KS. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of 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 important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Emporia KS area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Emporia KS phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Kansas schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Emporia KS medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Emporia KS healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Emporia KS, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. 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 have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Emporia KS

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Emporia KS.

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