Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Augusta Kentucky

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Augusta KY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Augusta KY phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Augusta KY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Augusta KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Augusta KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive 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 certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 decided on 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 Kentucky school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Augusta KY schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Kentucky? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Augusta KY. Finally, 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 College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, 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 all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Augusta KY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Kentucky 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 Augusta KY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Augusta KY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing 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 positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Augusta KY medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Augusta KY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Augusta KY

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Augusta KY.

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