Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Lake Villa Illinois

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lake Villa IL is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider 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 a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Lake Villa IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Lake Villa 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 babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lake Villa IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lake Villa IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (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 dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Lake Villa IL colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lake Villa IL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Lake Villa IL local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Lake Villa IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Illinois colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Lake Villa IL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lake Villa IL medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lake Villa IL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Lake Villa IL

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lake Villa IL.

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