Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Herington Kansas

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Herington KS is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Herington KS phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Herington KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Herington KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Herington KS 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior 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.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind 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 significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Herington KS programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Herington KS. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Herington KS local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Herington KS phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kansas colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Herington KS health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Herington KS health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Herington KS, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Herington KS

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Herington KS.

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