Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Kendallville Indiana

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Kendallville IN is a critical first 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 complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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. A number of Kendallville IN phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Kendallville IN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Kendallville IN, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Kendallville IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist 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 obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Indiana school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Kendallville IN programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Indiana? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Kendallville IN. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Kendallville IN local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Indiana school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, contact the Indiana 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 Kendallville IN phlebotomy program that you are considering 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 signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Indiana programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Kendallville IN healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Kendallville IN healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Kendallville IN, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Kendallville IN

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kendallville IN.

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