Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Medicine Lodge Kansas

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Medicine Lodge KS is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding 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 as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Medicine Lodge KS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Medicine Lodge KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, 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 exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Medicine Lodge KS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing 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 imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Medicine Lodge KS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kansas campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Medicine Lodge KS colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Medicine Lodge KS. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous 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 investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Medicine Lodge KS local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, check with the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Medicine Lodge KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Kansas schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Medicine Lodge KS medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Medicine Lodge KS health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Medicine Lodge KS, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Program near Medicine Lodge KS

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Medicine Lodge KS.

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