Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Berea Kentucky

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Berea KY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Berea KY phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Berea KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Berea KY, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Berea 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now 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 selected the type 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 campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Berea KY colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kentucky? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Berea KY. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous 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 important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Berea KY local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Kentucky regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Berea KY phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Kentucky schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Berea KY health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Berea KY health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, 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 important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Berea 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. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical 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 illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist College near Berea KY

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Berea KY.

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