Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lyons Illinois

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Lyons IL is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may 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 you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Lyons IL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Lyons IL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Lyons IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lyons IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Lyons IL programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely 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 be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Lyons IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of 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 important to check the reputations of any schools 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 placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Lyons IL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing 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 Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lyons IL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Lyons IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide 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 college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lyons IL health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lyons IL, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend 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 should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Lyons IL

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before 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 pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lyons IL.

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