Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Belle Plaine Kansas
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Belle Plaine KS is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.
Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Belle Plaine KS area labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Belle Plaine KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at Belle Plaine KS junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Belle Plaine KS employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- American Medical Technologists (AMT).
There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Schools
To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many Belle Plaine KS students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Belle Plaine KS programs you are looking at before making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Belle Plaine KS job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Belle Plaine KS clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Included? 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the Belle Plaine KS training program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with Belle Plaine KS health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Belle Plaine health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Belle Plaine KS health care community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Belle Plaine KS, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Belle Plaine KS?
Belle Plaine, Kansas
Belle Plaine was founded in 1871.[7] Belle Plaine is a French name meaning "beautiful plain".[8] In 1883, Belle Plaine was a station and shipping point for the Southern Central & Fort Scott Railway.[9] By 1910, it was at the junction of two railroads, the Missouri Pacific and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.[10] The first post office in Belle Plaine was established in April 1871.[11] In the fall of 1871 and spring of 1872, Miss Olive M. North taught a subscription school; and, in 1873, school district (No. 2) was established.[9]
Belle Plaine is located at 37°23′39″N 97°16′45″W / 37.394214°N 97.279076°W / 37.394214; -97.279076 (37.394214, -97.279076).[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.91 square miles (2.36 km2), all of it land.[1]
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Belle Plaine has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[13]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,681 people, 630 households, and 466 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,847.3 inhabitants per square mile (713.2/km2). There were 717 housing units at an average density of 787.9 per square mile (304.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.
Find the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Belle Plaine KS
Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Belle Plaine KS.
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