Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Forest Park IL is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Forest Park IL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Forest Park IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Forest Park IL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Forest Park IL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Illinois college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Forest Park IL colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Forest Park IL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer 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 as well. You can also check with a few Forest Park IL area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Forest Park IL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Illinois schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Forest Park IL health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Forest Park IL health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Forest Park IL, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, 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 policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Forest Park IL

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Forest Park IL.

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