Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near West Lafayette Ohio

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near West Lafayette OH is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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. Some West Lafayette OH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including West Lafayette OH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in West Lafayette OH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main 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 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 pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved West Lafayette OH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Ohio school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the West Lafayette OH colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in West Lafayette OH. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of 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 essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several West Lafayette OH 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 Ohio school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Ohio 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 West Lafayette OH 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 lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Ohio schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local West Lafayette OH medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the West Lafayette OH medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near West Lafayette OH, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near West Lafayette OH

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in West Lafayette OH.

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