Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near South Hutchinson Kansas
Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near South Hutchinson KS is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to researching phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 conversation about online classes.
Phlebotomist Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in South Hutchinson KS area labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including South Hutchinson KS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at South Hutchinson KS junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many South Hutchinson KS employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Classes
First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out 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-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some South Hutchinson KS students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national 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 disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the South Hutchinson KS schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the South Hutchinson KS job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few South Hutchinson KS clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the South Hutchinson KS training program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with South Hutchinson KS health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local South Hutchinson healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the South Hutchinson KS medical community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near South Hutchinson KS, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near South Hutchinson KS?
South Hutchinson, Kansas
South Hutchinson is located at 38°1′38″N 97°56′23″W / 38.02722°N 97.93972°W / 38.02722; -97.93972 (38.027185, -97.939769).[11] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.89 square miles (7.49 km2), of which 2.87 square miles (7.43 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[3]
As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 2,457 people, 1,113 households, and 611 families residing in the city. The population density was 856.1 inhabitants per square mile (330.5/km2). There were 1,207 housing units at an average density of 420.6 per square mile (162.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 1.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.6% of the population.
There were 1,113 households of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.80.
The median age in the city was 47.7 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.5% were from 25 to 44; 26.8% were from 45 to 64; and 26.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.6% male and 54.4% female.
Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near South Hutchinson KS
Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Hutchinson KS.
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