Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Chicago Ridge Illinois

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Chicago Ridge IL is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Chicago Ridge IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Chicago Ridge IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Chicago Ridge IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Chicago Ridge IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Chicago Ridge IL colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Chicago Ridge IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Chicago Ridge IL area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Chicago Ridge IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Chicago Ridge IL medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer 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 an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Chicago Ridge IL health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Chicago Ridge IL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Chicago Ridge IL

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Chicago Ridge IL.

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