Picking a Phlebotomist School near Franklin Ohio

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Franklin OH is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Franklin OH phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Franklin OH medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Franklin OH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Franklin OH 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Ohio campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Franklin OH schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Ohio? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Franklin OH. Finally, 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 School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Franklin OH local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Ohio school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Ohio regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Franklin OH phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Ohio colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Franklin OH healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at 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 positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Franklin OH health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Franklin OH, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Program near Franklin OH

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Franklin OH.

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