Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Concordia Kansas

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Concordia KS is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should 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 assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Concordia KS phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Concordia KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Concordia KS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Concordia KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium 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 option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 Kansas college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Concordia KS programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Concordia KS. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, 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 reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Concordia KS area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Concordia KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Kansas schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Concordia KS healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Concordia KS medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Concordia KS, check that 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Concordia KS

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Concordia KS.

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