Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Lewisport Kentucky

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Lewisport KY is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. 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 prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lewisport KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Lewisport KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Lewisport KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lewisport 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Kentucky college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Lewisport KY programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional 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 a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Lewisport KY. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin 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 rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Lewisport KY area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lewisport KY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 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 comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lewisport KY medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college 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 along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lewisport KY medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lewisport KY, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Lewisport KY

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lewisport KY.

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