Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Decorah Iowa

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Decorah IA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option 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 a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has 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 transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Decorah IA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Decorah IA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Decorah IA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers 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 phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Decorah IA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many 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 could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Iowa school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Decorah IA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Iowa? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Decorah IA. 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 School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Decorah IA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Iowa school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Iowa regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Decorah IA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish 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 furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Iowa programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Decorah IA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most 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 Decorah IA medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Decorah IA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Decorah IA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Decorah IA.

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