Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Troy Kansas

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Troy KS is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. 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 ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address 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. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed 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 Troy KS phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Troy KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Troy KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally 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 phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Troy KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kansas campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Troy KS colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Troy KS. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential 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 students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Troy KS area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact 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. As a minimum, any Troy KS phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Kansas programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Troy KS medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Troy KS healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Troy KS, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Troy KS

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary 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 diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Troy KS.

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