Tag Archives: How Long is Phlebotomy Training River Forest IL 60305

Phlebotomy Training Schools near River Forest IL 60305

Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near River Forest Illinois

River Forest IL phlebotomist taking blood sampleSelecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near River Forest IL is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

River Forest IL phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many River Forest IL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including River Forest IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working 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 setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

River Forest IL phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in River Forest IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as 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 specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

attending phlebotomy training online in River Forest ILTo start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved River Forest IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the River Forest IL programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in River Forest IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few River Forest IL area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any River Forest IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Illinois colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local River Forest IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at 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 school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the River Forest IL medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near River Forest IL, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near River Forest IL

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing 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 proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in River Forest IL.

Learn About River Forest Illinois

River Forest, Illinois

River Forest is a suburban village adjacent to Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, U.S. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park. There are significant architectural designs located in River Forest such as the Winslow House by Frank Lloyd Wright. The population of the village was 11,172 at the 2010 census.[3]

River Forest has a railroad station with service to Chicago on Metra's Union Pacific/West Line.

According to the 2010 census, River Forest has a total area of 2.482 square miles (6.43 km2), of which 2.48 square miles (6.42 km2) (or 99.92%) is land and 0.002 square miles (0.01 km2) (or 0.08%) is water.[4]

Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago are both located in River Forest.

 

 

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