Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near West Liberty Kentucky

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near West Liberty KY is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection 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 choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many West Liberty KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as West Liberty KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in West Liberty KY, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved West Liberty 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kentucky campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the West Liberty KY schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in West Liberty KY. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few West Liberty KY area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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. As a minimum, any West Liberty KY phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kentucky colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local West Liberty KY healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the West Liberty KY health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Liberty KY, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near West Liberty KY

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in West Liberty KY.

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