How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Hurst Illinois
Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Hurst IL is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.
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Should You Become a Plebotomist?
First of all, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Hurst IL medical facilities, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomist 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 collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed 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 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Hurst IL labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Hurst IL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most Hurst IL employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Training
To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many Hurst IL students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Hurst IL as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Hurst IL job market.
What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal 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 investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Hurst IL hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. 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 program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Hurst IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hurst IL medical community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hurst IL, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Accredited Phlebotomy Schools Hurst IL
Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me Hurst Illinois
Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me and to get more information regarding Low Cost Drawing Blood Education Near Me. However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hurst IL.
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Hurst, Illinois
According to the 2010 census, Hurst has a total area of 0.862 square miles (2.23 km2), of which 0.86 square miles (2.23 km2) (or 99.77%) is land and 0.002 square miles (0.01 km2) (or 0.23%) is water.[4]
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 805 people, 360 households, and 217 families residing in the city. The population density was 935.1 people per square mile (361.4/km²). There were 386 housing units at an average density of 448.4 per square mile (173.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.27% White, 0.99% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.87% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.24% of the population.
There were 360 households out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.9% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.89.
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