Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Evanston Illinois
Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Evanston IL is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing 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 also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Evanston IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Evanston IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Evanston IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. 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 readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Evanston IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Evanston IL colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Evanston IL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Evanston IL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Evanston IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Illinois schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Evanston IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Evanston IL medical community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Evanston IL, check that they are available 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 attend 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 in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Evanston IL
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Evanston IL.
Learn About Evanston Illinois
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston (/ˈɛvənˌstən/) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, 12 miles (19 km) north of downtown Chicago, bordered by Chicago to the south, Skokie to the west, and Wilmette to the north. It had a population of 74,486 as of 2010[update].[6] It is one of the North Shore communities that adjoin Lake Michigan and is the home of Northwestern University. The boundaries of the city of Evanston are coterminous with those of the former Evanston Township, which was dissolved in 2014 by voters with its functions being absorbed by the city of Evanston.[7]
Prior to the 1830s, the area now occupied by Evanston was mainly uninhabited, consisting largely of wetlands and swampy forest. However, Potawatomi Indians used trails along higher lying ridges that ran in a general north-south direction through the area, and had at least some semi-permanent settlements along the trails.
French explorers referred to the general area as "Grosse Pointe" after a point of land jutting into Lake Michigan about 13 miles (21 km) north of the mouth of the Chicago River. After the first non-Native Americans settled in the area in 1836, the names "Grosse Point Territory" and "Gross Point voting district" were used through the 1830s and 1840s, although the territory had no defined boundaries.[8][9] The area remained only sparsely settled, supporting some farming and lumber activity on some of the higher ground, as well as a number of taverns or "hotels" along the ridge roads. Grosse Pointe itself steadily eroded into the lake during this period.
In 1850, a township called Ridgeville was organized, extending from Graceland Cemetery in Chicago to the southern edge of the Ouilmette Reservation, along what is now Central Street, and from Lake Michigan to Western Avenue in Chicago. The 1850 census shows a few hundred settlers in this township,[9] and a post office with the name of Ridgeville was established at one of the taverns. However, no municipality yet existed.
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