Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Commerce Oklahoma

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Commerce OK is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 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 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 afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Commerce OK phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Commerce OK hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting 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 every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Commerce OK, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Commerce OK 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Oklahoma campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Commerce OK programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oklahoma or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered 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 schools in Commerce OK. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Commerce OK 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 contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the Oklahoma 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Commerce OK phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Oklahoma colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Commerce OK health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Commerce OK healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Commerce OK, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Commerce OK

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Commerce OK.

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