Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Mc Kee Kentucky
Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Mc Kee KY is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider 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 comparing phlebotomist training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.
Phlebotomy Technician Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Mc Kee KY area laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Mc Kee KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting 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 working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Mc Kee KY junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Mc Kee KY employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Schools
To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study 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 completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many Mc Kee KY students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Mc Kee KY colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Kentucky? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national 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 aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Mc Kee KY job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Mc Kee KY clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the Mc Kee KY training program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Mc Kee KY health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Mc Kee health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Mc Kee KY medical community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Mc Kee KY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Mc Kee KY?
McKee, Kentucky
McKee is located in central Jackson County at 37°25′49″N 83°59′37″W / 37.43028°N 83.99361°W / 37.43028; -83.99361 (37.430412, -83.993473),[5] within Daniel Boone National Forest. U.S. Route 421 passes through the center of town, leading northwest 33 miles (53 km) to Richmond and southeast 29 miles (47 km) to Manchester. Kentucky Route 89 runs north from McKee 28 miles (45 km) to Irvine and southwest 27 miles (43 km) to Livingston, while Kentucky Route 290 leads south from McKee 9 miles (14 km) to Annville.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.33 square miles (6.04 km2), of which 1,150 square metres (0.3 acres), or 0.02%, are water.[3] The city sits in the valley of Pigeon Roost Creek, which joins Birch Lick Creek at the western end of the city to form Indian Creek, a southwest-flowing tributary of the Middle Fork of the Rockcastle River, part of the Cumberland River watershed.
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 878 people, 359 households, and 232 families residing in the town. The population density was 385.3 people per square mile (148.7/km²). There were 402 housing units at an average density of 176.4 per square mile (68.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.54% White, 0.11% Black or African American, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.11% of the population.
There were 359 households out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.2% were married couples living together, 25.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.98.
Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Mc Kee KY
Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Mc Kee KY.
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