Phlebotomy Training Schools near Exeter MO 65647 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Exeter Missouri

Exeter MO phlebotomist taking blood sample Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Exeter MO is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

Exeter MO phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. 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 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. A number of Exeter MO phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Exeter MO hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

Exeter MO phlebotomist holding blood sample There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Exeter MO, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive 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 primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training online in Exeter MO First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Exeter MO 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. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 Missouri school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Exeter MO schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Missouri? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Missouri or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national 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 aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Exeter MO. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? 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 essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Exeter MO local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Missouri school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Missouri regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Exeter MO phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Missouri schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Exeter MO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Exeter MO healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Exeter MO, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Exeter MO

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Exeter MO.