Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Course near Leoti Kansas
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Leoti KS is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to researching phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomist Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Leoti KS area laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Leoti KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Leoti KS community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many Leoti KS employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees
First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion 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. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some Leoti KS students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Leoti KS colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kansas? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Leoti KS job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Leoti KS clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any 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 less than these minimums may indicate that the Leoti KS training program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Leoti KS healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Leoti healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Leoti KS healthcare community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Leoti KS, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Leoti KS?
Leoti, Kansas
Leoti was founded in 1885[8] by a company of men from Garden City, Kansas. Two years later, in 1887, it was involved in the bloodiest county seat fight in the history of the American West. The shoot-out was on February 27, 1887, when men—some would say hired gunmen—from Leoti, went to the neighboring, rival town of Coronado and left several people dead and wounded. A small town called Farmer City which was located between Coronado and Leoti, was hoped by some to become the county seat—which would end the fighting. Leoti later won the right to become the county seat and now the two other towns consist mainly of farmland.[citation needed]
Leoti is located at 38°29′3″N 101°21′28″W / 38.48417°N 101.35778°W / 38.48417; -101.35778 (38.484073, -101.357639).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.31 square miles (3.39 km2), all land.[1]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 1,534 people, 607 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,171.0 inhabitants per square mile (452.1/km2). There were 708 housing units at an average density of 540.5 per square mile (208.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.8% White, 0.7% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 10.8% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.6% of the population.
There were 607 households of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.05.
Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Leoti KS
Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Leoti KS.
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