Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Pikeville Kentucky

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Pikeville KY is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Pikeville KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Pikeville KY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Pikeville KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Pikeville 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 part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Pikeville KY schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed 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 select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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 examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Pikeville KY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’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 in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Pikeville KY local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Pikeville KY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority 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 Internships Provided? Find out from the Kentucky programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Pikeville KY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pikeville KY medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pikeville KY, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Pikeville KY

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pikeville KY.

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