Picking the right phlebotomist school near Decatur IL is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating 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 resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Decatur IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Decatur IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Decatur IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Decatur 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 may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). 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 learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you 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 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 Illinois school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Decatur IL programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Decatur IL. 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 School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Decatur IL area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Decatur 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 below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Decatur IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Decatur IL medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Decatur IL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Decatur IL

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Decatur IL.

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