Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Shelbyville Kentucky

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Shelbyville KY is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should 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 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 continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Shelbyville KY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Shelbyville KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type 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 newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Shelbyville KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shelbyville 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Kentucky campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Shelbyville KY colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose 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 phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Shelbyville KY. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools 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 internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Shelbyville 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 contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Shelbyville KY phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Kentucky colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Shelbyville KY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire 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 program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Shelbyville KY health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Shelbyville KY, make sure 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Shelbyville KY

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shelbyville KY.

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