Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Cheney Kansas

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Cheney KS is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Cheney KS phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Cheney KS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Cheney KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get 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 Cheney KS 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kansas campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Cheney KS schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As previously mentioned, 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 hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Cheney KS. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of 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 any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Cheney KS local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Kansas 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. As a minimum, any Cheney KS phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Kansas programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Cheney KS healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Cheney KS health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cheney KS, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Cheney KS

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cheney KS.

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