Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Wapello Iowa
Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Wapello IA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomist training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.
Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Wapello IA area laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Wapello IA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Wapello IA community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most Wapello IA employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Wapello IA students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Wapello IA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Wapello IA job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Wapello IA clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Iowa school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the Wapello IA training program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with Wapello IA health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Wapello healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position 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 high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Wapello IA healthcare community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Wapello IA, check that 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Wapello IA?
Wapello, Iowa
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.34 square miles (3.47 km2), of which, 1.29 square miles (3.34 km2) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) is water.[1] Wapello is on the Iowa River.
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,067 people, 825 households, and 544 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,602.3 inhabitants per square mile (618.7/km2). There were 889 housing units at an average density of
689.1 per square mile (266.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.2% White, 0.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 3.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.2% of the population.
There were 825 households of which 32.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.
Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Wapello IA
Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wapello IA.
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