Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Armour South Dakota

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Armour SD is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Armour SD phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Armour SD hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Armour SD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Armour SD 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. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may 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 South Dakota campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Armour SD programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for South Dakota or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Armour SD. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Armour SD local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the South Dakota school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with the South Dakota regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Armour SD phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the South Dakota colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Armour SD healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Armour SD healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Armour SD, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Armour SD

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Armour SD.

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