Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Oakland Kentucky

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Oakland KY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab 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. Many Oakland KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Oakland KY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants 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 instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Oakland KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Oakland 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Kentucky school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Oakland KY schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need 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 readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Oakland KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Oakland KY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Oakland KY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Oakland KY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer 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 college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Oakland KY medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Oakland KY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Oakland KY

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oakland KY.

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