Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Maize Kansas
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Maize KS is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to researching phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.
Phlebotomist Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Maize KS area labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Maize KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect 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 certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means 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 phlebotomy tech. Offered at Maize KS junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many Maize KS employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some Maize KS students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Maize KS schools you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Maize KS job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Maize KS clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the Maize KS training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Maize KS medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Maize health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? 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, meaning 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 Maize KS medical community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Maize KS, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Maize KS?
Maize, Kansas
Maize is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States, and a suburb of Wichita.[6] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,420.[7] Maize, derived from a Native American word for "corn", was so named because it is located within the Corn Belt.[8]
The Maize Town Company, led by N. F. Neiderlander, founded Maize in 1886 at the first stop outside of Wichita on the Wichita and Colorado Railway. The post office opened that same year as did the town's first church, having relocated from nearby. Maize's first school opened in 1887; its first newspaper opened in 1895. Maize State Bank, the town's first financial institution, opened in 1901, and, by 1908, a business community had emerged. In 1915, the Maize Town Company dissolved, and Maize was incorporated as a city.[9]
Maize began to grow rapidly in 1950, more than doubling in size by 1956.[9] This growth has continued, accelerating in recent years as Wichita has expanded to the northwest, and transformed Maize into a suburb.[6]
Maize is located at 37°46′45″N 97°28′2″W / 37.77917°N 97.46722°W / 37.77917; -97.46722 (37.779178, -97.467267)[10] at an elevation of 1,348 feet (411 m).[5] It lies on the west side of Big Slough Creek roughly 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of the Arkansas River in the Wellington-McPherson Lowlands region of the Great Plains. Located in south-central Kansas, Maize is on K-96 immediately northwest of Wichita.
Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Training Program near Maize KS
Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Maize KS.
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