Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Bedford Park Illinois

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Bedford Park IL is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need 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 reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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. Some Bedford Park IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Bedford Park IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Bedford Park IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get 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 Bedford Park IL 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Bedford Park IL colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school 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 a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Bedford Park IL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools 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 agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Bedford Park IL area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Illinois 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 Bedford Park IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Illinois colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Bedford Park IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bedford Park IL medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Bedford Park IL, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Bedford Park IL

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, 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 phlebotomy technician in Bedford Park IL.

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