Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Bardwell Kentucky
Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Bardwell KY is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomist training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are researching to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.
Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Bardwell KY area laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Bardwell KY hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Bardwell KY junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of Bardwell KY employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Colleges
To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for some Bardwell KY students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, 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 degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. 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 Bardwell KY schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Kentucky? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Bardwell KY job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Bardwell KY hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Included? First, contact 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 looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the Bardwell KY training program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with Bardwell KY medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Bardwell healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bardwell KY healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bardwell KY, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Bardwell KY?
Bardwell, Kentucky
Bardwell is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Carlisle County, Kentucky, United States.[2] The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1878.[3] The population was 723 at the 2010 census,[4] down from 799 in 2000.
During their session of 1877–1878, the Kentucky General Assembly passed an act incorporating Bardwell. The original municipal boundaries consisted of a circle with a radius of 0.5 miles (0.80 km), centered on the local train station for the Illinois Central Railroad.[6]
Bardwell is located northwest of the center of Carlisle County at 36°52′22″N 89°0′36″W / 36.87278°N 89.01000°W / 36.87278; -89.01000 (36.872690, -89.010026).[7] U.S. Routes 51 and 62 intersect in the northern part of the city. US 51 leads south 29 miles (47 km) to Fulton on the Tennessee line, while US 62 leads northeast 30 miles (48 km) to Paducah on the Ohio River. The two highways together lead northwest 8 miles (13 km) to Wickliffe on the Mississippi River.
As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 799 people, 367 households, and 229 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,335.8 people per square mile (514.2/km²). There were 425 housing units at an average density of 710.5 per square mile (273.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.62% White, 3.00% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.63% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 2.75% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Bardwell KY
Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bardwell KY.
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