Picking a Phlebotomist School near Kirkland Illinois

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Kirkland IL is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Kirkland IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Kirkland IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, 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 exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Kirkland IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including 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 provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Kirkland IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in 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 superior 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 right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Kirkland IL programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered 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 schools in Kirkland IL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Kirkland IL local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Kirkland IL phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Kirkland IL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Kirkland IL health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Kirkland IL, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. 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 need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Kirkland IL

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kirkland IL.

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