Picking a Phlebotomist School near Murray Kentucky

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Murray KY is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select 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 training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Murray KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Murray KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect 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 collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Murray KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Murray 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type 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 college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Murray KY programs you are reviewing 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 phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable 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 school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Murray KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates 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 also check with some Murray KY local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Murray KY phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Kentucky schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Murray KY health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Murray KY healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Murray KY, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Murray KY

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Murray KY.

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