Picking a Phlebotomy School near Lawrence Kansas

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Lawrence KS is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Lawrence KS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Lawrence KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Lawrence KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring 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 some 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 select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lawrence KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you 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 picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kansas school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Lawrence KS colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lawrence KS. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Lawrence KS area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lawrence KS phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Kansas colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lawrence KS health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lawrence KS health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Lawrence KS, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend 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 need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Lawrence KS

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lawrence KS.

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