Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Alexandria Kentucky

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Alexandria KY is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much 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 decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Alexandria KY phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Alexandria KY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Alexandria KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Alexandria KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you 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 picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kentucky college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Alexandria KY colleges you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? 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 hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Alexandria KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Alexandria KY local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Alexandria KY phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 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 Sponsored? Ask the Kentucky colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Alexandria KY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Alexandria KY medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Alexandria KY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Alexandria KY

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Alexandria KY.

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