Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Highland Kansas

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Highland KS is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Highland KS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Highland KS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Highland KS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Highland 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kansas college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Highland KS colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, 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 clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Highland KS. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Highland KS area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Highland KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Kansas programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Highland KS medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Highland KS medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Highland KS, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Highland KS

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Highland KS.

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