Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pond Creek OK 73766 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Pond Creek Oklahoma

Pond Creek OK phlebotomist taking blood sample Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Pond Creek OK is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

Pond Creek OK phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Pond Creek OK phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Pond Creek OK medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain 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 drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

Pond Creek OK phlebotomist holding blood sample There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pond Creek OK, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

attending phlebotomy training online in Pond Creek OK First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Pond Creek 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Oklahoma school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Pond Creek OK schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Pond Creek OK. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Pond Creek OK local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Oklahoma regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Pond Creek OK phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Oklahoma programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Pond Creek OK healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pond Creek OK medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pond Creek OK, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Pond Creek OK

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pond Creek OK.

Learn About Pond Creek Oklahoma

Pond Creek, Oklahoma

Pond Creek is a city in Grant County, Oklahoma, along the Salt Fork Arkansas River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 856, a 4.5 percent decline from 896 at the 2000 census.[4]

Before people of European descent came on the scene, the region around the present town of Pond Creek was traversed by many of the nomadic Native Americans of the Great Plains. Although the land is now heavily agricultural there are still traces of campsites along the numerous creeks of the drainage of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas River. When many of the Native American groups were moved onto reservations in what is now Oklahoma, towns and trading posts were established. Eventually the present-day Oklahoma was divided into Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. The history of Pond Creek and the surrounding area can be easily confused with other streams called Pond Creek (see e.g.[5]). The present community of Pond Creek is located in what is called the Cherokee Strip, more properly known as the Cherokee Outlet. The land at the confluence of Osage Creek and Pond Creek was known as the Pond Creek Stockade on the original Chisholm Trail used by cattle drivers bringing herds of Texas longhorns north to the railroad head first at Abilene, Kansas then later to Wichita and Caldwell.[6][7] This location is about 4 miles north of the present town of Pond Creek near the present village of Jefferson. Two markers have been placed in this area commemorating the untimely demise of two cowboys.[8] There are two granite markers placed near Pond Creek on the old Chisholm Trail.[9]

In 1887, the Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railway built a branch line north-south from Caldwell, Kansas to Pond Creek in 1888.[10] By 1893, it was incrementally built to Fort Worth, Texas. It was foreclosed on in 1891 and taken over by Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway, which shut-down in 1980. The Kansas-Texas mainline was sold to a subsidiary of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad as the Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Railroad, merging in 1988 with Missouri Pacific Railroad, which merged in 1997 with Union Pacific Railroad. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Rock Island."

Pond Creek was settled as a town during the Cherokee Strip Land Run in 1893.[11] According to the Chronicles of Oklahoma, "The government townsite of Pond Creek was first entered at 2:10 on the day of the run. By evening, it contained some 8,000 inhabitants, and boasted a good hotel, several restaurants, a dozen law offices, two general stores and six or seven grocery stores."[12] The settlers soon found that there was not enough water to support the new town; the government had dug wells for all of the government townsites, including Pond Creek, but all the water in Pond Creek's well was quickly used up.[12] Soldiers dug a new well but found only salt water.[12] Water from the Salt Fork River was brought to Pond Creek and sold for five cents a cup, but it was not fit for human or animal consumption.[12] Beer became a precious commodity, selling for fifty to seventy-five cents a bottle.[12] Water from stagnant creek pools was given to animals.[12] The area also experienced a violent sand storm and wildfires.[12]

The location could not be found.