Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Skokie Illinois

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Skokie IL is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Skokie IL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Skokie IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Skokie IL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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 require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Skokie IL 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Illinois college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Skokie IL programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Skokie IL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Skokie IL area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Illinois regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Skokie IL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Illinois colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Skokie IL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Skokie IL medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Skokie IL, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist College near Skokie IL

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Skokie IL.

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