Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Science Hill Kentucky
Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Science Hill KY is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are considering to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover 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 main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. Some phlebotomists actually work in Science Hill KY area labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Science Hill KY medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than 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 phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at Science Hill KY community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of Science Hill KY employers require certification before employing 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical 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-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Science Hill KY students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in 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 quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Science Hill KY colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. 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 phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Kentucky or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, 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 loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Science Hill KY job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Science Hill KY hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Kentucky school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy 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 indicate that the Science Hill KY training program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with Science Hill KY medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Science Hill medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Science Hill KY medical community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Science Hill KY, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Considering Phlebotomy Training near Science Hill KY?
Science Hill, Kentucky
Science Hill is located at 37°10′31″N 84°38′8″W / 37.17528°N 84.63556°W / 37.17528; -84.63556 (37.175284, -84.635654).[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), all land. The city is concentrated atop a small hill along Kentucky Route 635. Kentucky Route 1247 passes through the city just east of its downtown area, and U.S. Route 27 passes along the city's eastern border. The Big Clifty Creek Valley lies just to the west of Science Hill.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 634 people, 249 households, and 184 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,013.0 inhabitants per square mile (388.6/km²). There were 275 housing units at an average density of 439.4 per square mile (168.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.21% White, 0.16% Native American, and 0.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population.
There were 249 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.0 males.
Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Science Hill KY
Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Science Hill KY.
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