Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Gorham Kansas

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Gorham KS is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive 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 factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember 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 need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Gorham KS phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Gorham KS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Gorham KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Gorham 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kansas campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Gorham KS programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Gorham KS. Last, 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 Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Gorham KS area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Kansas 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. At a minimum, any Gorham KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Kansas colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Gorham KS health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Gorham KS health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Gorham KS, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Gorham KS

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Gorham KS.

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