Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Oberlin Kansas

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Oberlin KS is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Oberlin KS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Oberlin KS medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Oberlin KS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy 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.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Oberlin 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-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Kansas campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Oberlin KS colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Oberlin KS. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Oberlin KS area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Kansas regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Oberlin KS phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Kansas programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Oberlin KS healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Oberlin KS medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Oberlin KS, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Oberlin KS

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oberlin KS.

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