Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Mount Olivet Kentucky

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Mount Olivet KY is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Mount Olivet KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Mount Olivet KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Mount Olivet KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most 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 several states that do require 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 pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Mount Olivet KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college 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 quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kentucky school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Mount Olivet KY colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with 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 enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Mount Olivet KY. 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 College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges 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 ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Mount Olivet KY local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Mount Olivet KY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Kentucky programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Mount Olivet KY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot 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 school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Mount Olivet KY healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Olivet 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 as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Mount Olivet KY

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mount Olivet KY.

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