Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Mundelein Illinois

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Mundelein IL is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Mundelein IL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Mundelein IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting 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, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Mundelein IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mundelein 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Mundelein IL schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Mundelein IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any 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 solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Mundelein IL area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Mundelein 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 below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Illinois schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Mundelein IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Mundelein IL health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mundelein IL, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Mundelein IL

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Mundelein IL.

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