Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Plainfield Indiana

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Plainfield IN is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Plainfield IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Plainfield IN medical clinics, hospitals, 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 seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working 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 newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Plainfield IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route 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 phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 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 pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Plainfield IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Plainfield IN programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Plainfield IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Plainfield IN area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the Indiana 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 Plainfield IN phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Plainfield IN health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Plainfield IN healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Plainfield IN, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready several strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Plainfield IN

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Plainfield IN.

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