Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Shipshewana Indiana

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Shipshewana IN is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection 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 evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Shipshewana IN phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Shipshewana IN medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked 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 samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Shipshewana IN, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Shipshewana IN healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Indiana college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Shipshewana IN programs you are reviewing prior to 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. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Indiana or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior 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 previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Shipshewana IN. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Shipshewana IN area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Indiana school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Indiana 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 Shipshewana IN phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Indiana colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Shipshewana IN health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering 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 along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Shipshewana IN medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shipshewana IN, 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy College near Shipshewana IN

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before 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 ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shipshewana IN.

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