Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Lawton Oklahoma

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Lawton OK is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much 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 also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lawton OK phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Lawton OK hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Lawton OK, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lawton OK 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Lawton OK schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oklahoma or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lawton OK. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Lawton OK area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Oklahoma 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lawton OK phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Oklahoma colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lawton OK medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lawton OK healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lawton OK, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Lawton OK

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lawton OK.

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