Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Cimarron Kansas
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Cimarron KS is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.
Phlebotomist Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Cimarron KS area labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Cimarron KS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Cimarron KS junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most Cimarron KS employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Schools
First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Cimarron KS students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college 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 receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Cimarron KS programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select 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 be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, 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 an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Cimarron KS job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Cimarron KS clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out 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 provide 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 Cimarron KS training program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with Cimarron KS health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Cimarron healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Cimarron KS medical community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cimarron KS, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Cimarron KS?
Cimarron, Kansas
Between 1887 and 1893, a county seat war took place in Gray County that involved several notable Old West figures, such as Bat Masterson, Bill Tilghman, and Ben Daniels. As a result of the dispute, Cimarron became the permanent county seat of Gray County.[10]
Cimarron is located at 37°48′30″N 100°20′51″W / 37.80833°N 100.34750°W / 37.80833; -100.34750 (37.808332, −100.347413).[12] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.14 square miles (2.95 km2), all of it land.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,184 people, 789 households, and 569 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,915.8 inhabitants per square mile (739.7/km2). There were 842 housing units at an average density of 738.6 per square mile (285.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.2% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 5.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.1% of the population.
There were 789 households of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.27.
Select the Best Phlebotomy Training Program near Cimarron KS
Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cimarron KS.
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