Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Harrodsburg Kentucky

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Harrodsburg KY is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Harrodsburg KY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Harrodsburg KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Harrodsburg KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along 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 phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Harrodsburg KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kentucky college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Harrodsburg KY programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Kentucky? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Harrodsburg KY. Finally, graduating 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 minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, 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 colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Harrodsburg KY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Harrodsburg KY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Kentucky colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Harrodsburg KY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harrodsburg KY medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Harrodsburg KY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Harrodsburg KY

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Harrodsburg KY.

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