Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Bridgeport Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Bridgeport IL is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bridgeport IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Bridgeport IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Bridgeport IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

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 performed either in an approved Bridgeport IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Bridgeport IL programs you are looking at 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 phlebotomy technician. Several 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 phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered 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 programs in Bridgeport IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Bridgeport IL area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bridgeport IL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Bridgeport IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bridgeport IL medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bridgeport IL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Course near Bridgeport IL

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bridgeport IL.

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