Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Bedford Indiana

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Bedford IN is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bedford IN phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Bedford IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Bedford IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bedford IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing 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 all of the Bedford IN programs you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Bedford IN. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Bedford IN local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Bedford IN phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Bedford IN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bedford IN health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Bedford IN, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. 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 find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Bedford IN

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bedford IN.

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