Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Oak Lawn Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Oak Lawn IL is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Oak Lawn IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Oak Lawn IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working 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.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Oak Lawn IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Oak Lawn IL 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Oak Lawn IL colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

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. Every state 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 very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional 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 a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Oak Lawn IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Oak Lawn IL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Illinois 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 Oak Lawn IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish 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 comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Oak Lawn IL health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Oak Lawn IL medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oak Lawn IL, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Program near Oak Lawn IL

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oak Lawn IL.

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