Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lakin KS 67860 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lakin Kansas

Lakin KS phlebotomist taking blood sample Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lakin KS is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

Lakin KS phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Lakin KS phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Lakin KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

Lakin KS phlebotomist holding blood sample There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Lakin KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training online in Lakin KS To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lakin KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Lakin KS programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance 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 previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Lakin KS. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Lakin KS area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Lakin KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Kansas programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lakin KS healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lakin KS medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Lakin KS, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Lakin KS

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lakin KS.