Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Alexandria KY 41001

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Alexandria Kentucky

Alexandria KY phlebotomist taking blood sample Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Alexandria KY is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all 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, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision 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 considering to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

Alexandria KY phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Alexandria KY area labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

Alexandria KY diagnostic lab blood analysis The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Alexandria KY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

Alexandria KY phlebotomy lab There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at Alexandria KY junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most Alexandria KY employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies 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 Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Alexandria KY First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some Alexandria KY students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Alexandria KY colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Alexandria KY job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Alexandria KY clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kentucky 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the Alexandria KY training program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Alexandria KY health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Alexandria medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Alexandria KY health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Alexandria KY, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Alexandria KY?

Alexandria, Kentucky

Alexandria is a home rule-class city[2] in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. Along with Newport, it is one of the dual seats of the county.[3] The population was 8,477 at the 2010 census.[4]

It is believed that the area that is now Alexandria was first settled by Frank Spilman and his family c. 1793.[5] The Spilman family was from King George County, Virginia, and they may have named their settlement after Alexandria, Virginia.[5] The family had begun developing and selling lots in the settlement by 1819,[5] the year the first post office was established. On February 22, 1834, Alexandria was formally established by an act of the state assembly.[6]

When the Kentucky General Assembly formed Kenton County from part of Campbell County in 1840, they moved Campbell's county seat from Newport to Alexandria, which was closer to the center of the redrawn county.[5] The citizens of Alexandria quickly constructed a county courthouse but, because the majority of the county's population lived in Newport, the move was not a popular one and it took a court order and a visit from the sheriff to get the county clerk to move.[7]

In 1883, Newport successfully lobbied for its own Court House District, allowing it to retain a Court House Commission with taxing authority and various county offices in addition to those maintained at Alexandria. A new courthouse was established in Newport in 1884, and the county's fiscal court and judicial offices operated out of this while other administrative offices remained in Alexandria.[5] Nonetheless, the county was not dual seated[8] until 2010.[3]

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Select the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Alexandria KY

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program before 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 select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Alexandria KY.