Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Chicago Heights Illinois

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Chicago Heights IL is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools 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 variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Chicago Heights IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Chicago Heights IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Chicago Heights IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Chicago Heights IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Chicago Heights IL programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Chicago Heights IL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates 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 contact several Chicago Heights IL area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final 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 Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Chicago Heights IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Chicago Heights IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Chicago Heights IL health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Chicago Heights IL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy College near Chicago Heights IL

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Chicago Heights IL.

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