Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Burgin Kentucky

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Burgin KY is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Burgin KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Burgin KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Burgin KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Burgin KY 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-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kentucky college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Burgin KY colleges you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, 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 superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Burgin KY. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Burgin KY area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Burgin KY 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 might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Kentucky schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Burgin KY medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Burgin KY health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Burgin KY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near Burgin KY

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Burgin KY.

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