Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Portland Indiana

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Portland IN is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select 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 Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order 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 Portland IN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Portland IN hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Portland IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Portland IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Portland IN programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Portland IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Portland IN local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana 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, contact the Indiana 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. At a minimum, any Portland IN phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish 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 comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Indiana schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Portland IN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Portland IN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Portland IN, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Portland IN

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit 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 thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Portland IN.

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