Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Pekin IN is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far 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 too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select 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.

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Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Pekin IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Pekin IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pekin IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Pekin IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive 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 might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Pekin IN colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Pekin IN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Pekin IN area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Pekin IN phlebotomy 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Indiana programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Pekin IN healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pekin IN medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pekin IN, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Pekin IN

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pekin IN.

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