Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Burlington Kentucky

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Burlington KY is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important 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 evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Burlington KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Burlington KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Burlington KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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 phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Burlington KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kentucky school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Burlington KY programs you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 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 several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify 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 often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Burlington 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 Program’s Ranking? In numerous 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 all colleges you are looking at. 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 online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Burlington KY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Burlington KY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Burlington KY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Burlington KY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Burlington KY, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Burlington KY

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Burlington KY.

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