Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Monticello Kentucky

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Monticello KY is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are considering to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Monticello KY area labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Monticello KY hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Monticello KY junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Monticello KY employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
• American Medical Technologists (AMT).

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist 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 Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial 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. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many Monticello KY students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Monticello KY schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Monticello KY job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy 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 schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place 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 also check with some Monticello KY hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the Monticello KY training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with Monticello KY health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Monticello medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Monticello KY medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Monticello KY, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend 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 as a result of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Monticello KY?

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Monticello KY

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Monticello KY.

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