Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Zion Illinois

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Zion IL is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Zion IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Zion IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Zion IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Zion IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Zion IL programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select 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 examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Zion IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many 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 imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Zion IL area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Zion IL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Zion IL health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Zion IL medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Zion IL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer 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 possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Zion IL

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Zion IL.

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