Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Cumberland Kentucky

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Cumberland KY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Cumberland KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Cumberland KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Cumberland KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cumberland KY 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kentucky campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Cumberland KY programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kentucky? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Cumberland KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Cumberland KY area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cumberland KY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Kentucky colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Cumberland KY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cumberland KY health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cumberland KY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Cumberland KY

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cumberland KY.

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