Picking a Phlebotomist Training Course near Herndon Kansas
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Herndon KS is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to researching phlebotomist training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.
Phlebotomy Technician Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Herndon KS area labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Herndon KS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with 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 phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at Herndon KS community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most Herndon KS employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Colleges
To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many Herndon KS students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
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 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 as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Herndon KS colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized 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 superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Herndon KS job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal 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 out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Herndon KS clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the Herndon KS training program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with Herndon KS healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Herndon health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Herndon KS health care community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Herndon KS, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 because of emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Herndon KS?
Herndon, Kansas
Herndon was originally called Pesth (after Budapest, Hungary) and under the latter name was laid out in 1878. It was renamed Herndon in 1879, in honor of William H. Herndon, law partner of Abraham Lincoln.[7] Herndon was incorporated as a city in 1906.[8]
Herndon is located at 39°54′34″N 100°47′10″W / 39.90944°N 100.78611°W / 39.90944; -100.78611 (39.909468, -100.786094).[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.26 square miles (0.67 km2), all of it land.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 129 people, 66 households, and 33 families residing in the city. The population density was 496.2 inhabitants per square mile (191.6/km2). There were 103 housing units at an average density of 396.2 per square mile (153.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% White, 2.3% African American, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.
There were 66 households of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 1.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.0% were non-families. 42.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.70.
Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Herndon KS
Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Herndon KS.
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