Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Danville Kentucky

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Danville KY is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss 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 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 should 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Danville KY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Danville KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Danville KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Danville KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 Kentucky school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Danville KY colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Kentucky? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for 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 unavailable for non-accredited schools in Danville KY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Danville KY local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Danville KY phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Danville KY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Danville KY healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Danville KY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near Danville KY

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Danville KY.

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