Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Dayton Ohio

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Dayton OH is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot 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 too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Dayton OH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Dayton OH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Dayton OH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Dayton OH 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-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Ohio school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Dayton OH colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Dayton OH. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Dayton OH area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Ohio school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Ohio 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 Dayton OH phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Ohio colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Dayton OH health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dayton OH health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Dayton OH, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Dayton OH

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dayton OH.

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