Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Lincolnwood Illinois

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Lincolnwood IL is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

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Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Lincolnwood IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Lincolnwood IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lincolnwood IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lincolnwood IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Lincolnwood IL programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Lincolnwood IL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’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 the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Lincolnwood IL local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lincolnwood IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lincolnwood IL medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lincolnwood IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lincolnwood IL, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near Lincolnwood IL

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lincolnwood IL.

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