Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Troy Indiana

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Troy IN is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection 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 assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Troy IN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Troy IN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Troy IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After 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 before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Troy IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become 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 previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Troy IN programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected 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 program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Troy IN. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential 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 some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Troy IN local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Troy IN phlebotomist 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Indiana schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Troy IN medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Troy IN healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Troy IN, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And 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 policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy School near Troy IN

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Troy IN.

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