Picking a Phlebotomist School near Oberlin Ohio

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Oberlin OH is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Oberlin OH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Oberlin OH medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Oberlin OH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 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. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Oberlin OH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Ohio school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Oberlin OH colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, 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 securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Oberlin OH. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Oberlin OH local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Ohio school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Ohio regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Oberlin OH phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 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 comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Ohio colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Oberlin OH healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Oberlin OH health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oberlin OH, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Oberlin OH

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oberlin OH.

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