How to Pick the Right Phlebotomy Tech Training Classes near Wenona Illinois
Picking the right phlebotomist school near Wenona IL is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss 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 phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Wenona IL medical facilities, well this profession may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists often work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Wenona IL labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Wenona IL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest 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. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most Wenona IL employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Training
To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Wenona IL students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Wenona IL in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Wenona IL job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. 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 rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Wenona IL clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working 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 reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Wenona IL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Wenona IL health care community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Wenona IL, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Trade School Wenona IL
Online Schools For Phlebotomy Certification Wenona Illinois
Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Schools For Phlebotomy Certification and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Degree Programs. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Wenona IL.
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Wenona, Illinois
The Marshall County portion of Wenona is part of the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion that lies in LaSalle County is part of the Ottawa–Streator Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Wenona is located at 41°3′11″N 89°3′12″W / 41.05306°N 89.05333°W / 41.05306; -89.05333 (41.053080, −89.053415).[4] Most of the city lies in Marshall County, although a small portion extends into southern LaSalle County. In the 2000 census, all of Wenona's 1,065 residents lived in Marshall County. According to the 2010 census, Wenona has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.92 km2), all land.[5]
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 1,065 people, 453 households, and 278 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,583.9 people per square mile (613.7/km²). There were 504 housing units at an average density of 749.6 per square mile (290.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.65% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.19% Asian, and 1.31% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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