Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Salem Indiana

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Salem IN is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Salem IN phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control 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 do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Salem IN medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Salem IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Salem 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-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend 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 cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Salem IN schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Salem IN. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Salem IN local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Indiana regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Salem IN phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Indiana colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Salem IN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Salem IN medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Salem IN, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to 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 talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude 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 outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Program near Salem IN

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Salem IN.

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