Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Olathe Kansas

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Olathe KS is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including 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 pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Olathe KS phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Olathe KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing 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 practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Olathe KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means 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 usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Olathe KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance 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 organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 Kansas school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Olathe KS colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills 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 phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Olathe 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 Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Olathe KS area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see 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 filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Olathe KS phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Kansas schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Olathe KS healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority 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 Olathe KS health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Olathe KS, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Olathe KS

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Olathe KS.

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