Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Leitchfield Kentucky

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Leitchfield KY is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Leitchfield KY phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly using 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 do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Leitchfield KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Leitchfield KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing 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 phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Leitchfield KY healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Leitchfield KY schools you are considering before making your final 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 a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many 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 take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Leitchfield KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Leitchfield KY local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask 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 total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Leitchfield KY phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Leitchfield KY healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Leitchfield KY healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Leitchfield KY, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy College near Leitchfield KY

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Leitchfield KY.

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