Picking a Phlebotomist Training Course near Flemingsburg Kentucky
Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Flemingsburg KY is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to researching phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.
Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Flemingsburg KY area labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Flemingsburg KY medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with 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 phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at Flemingsburg KY junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many Flemingsburg KY employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Schools
To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many Flemingsburg KY students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school 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 disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. 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 Flemingsburg KY programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically 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 Flemingsburg KY job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Flemingsburg 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 find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the Flemingsburg KY training program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internships Provided? Find out from the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Flemingsburg KY medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Flemingsburg health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Flemingsburg KY medical community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Flemingsburg KY, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Flemingsburg KY?
Flemingsburg, Kentucky
Flemingsburg is a home rule-class city[2] in Fleming County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 2,658 at the 2010 census,[3] down from 3,010 at the 2000 census. It is the seat of Fleming County.[4]
Flemingsburg is located northwest of the center of Fleming County at 38°25′14″N 83°44′15″W / 38.42056°N 83.73750°W / 38.42056; -83.73750 (38.420541, -83.737581).[5] It is in northeastern Kentucky, 17 miles (27 km) south of Maysville, 31 miles (50 km) northeast of Mt. Sterling, and 38 miles (61 km) northeast of Paris.
Flemingsburg was founded in 1797 by George S. Stockton, a native Virginian, who named the town and county after his half-brother Colonel John Fleming.[6] It has been the seat of Fleming County since its formation and was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1812.[7][8]
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 3,010 people, 1,294 households, and 821 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,178.2 people per square mile (455.8/km²). There were 1,434 housing units at an average density of 561.3 per square mile (217.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.72% White, 5.05% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Training Program near Flemingsburg KY
Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Flemingsburg KY.
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