Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Claremore Oklahoma

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Claremore OK is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide 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 prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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. Some Claremore OK phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Claremore OK hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Claremore OK, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Claremore OK 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-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Oklahoma college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Claremore OK schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Oklahoma? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Oklahoma or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Claremore OK. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Claremore OK local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Oklahoma school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Oklahoma regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Claremore OK phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Oklahoma schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Claremore OK health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Claremore OK healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Claremore OK, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Claremore OK

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Claremore OK.

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