How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Oglesby Illinois

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Oglesby IL is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes 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 must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short answer is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Oglesby IL medical facilities, well this profession probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect job for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check 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. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Oglesby IL laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Oglesby IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Oglesby IL 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 phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted 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 attended online, it can be a more practical option for many Oglesby IL students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming 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 degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Oglesby IL as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Illinois? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Oglesby IL job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Oglesby IL clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oglesby IL healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Oglesby IL health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Oglesby IL, 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 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Accredited Phlebotomy Schools Oglesby IL

Top Drawing Blood Programs Oglesby Illinois

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Drawing Blood Programs and to get more information regarding Best Phlebotomy Tech Colleges Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oglesby IL.

More Illinois Bloody Wonderful Locations

Phlebotomy Training School Westmont IL

Part Time Phlebotomy Colleges Near Me Evansville IL

Affordable Phlebotomy Tech Courses Near Me La Salle IL

Best Phlebotomy Technician Courses Near Me Rock Falls IL

Drawing Blood Classes Winnetka IL

Evening Phlebotomist Schools Near Me Country Club Hills IL

Best Phlebotomy Schools Near Me Plano IL

Phlebotomy Training Program Summit Argo IL

Affordable Phlebotomy Technician Colleges Hoffman Estates IL

Fast Track Drawing Blood Colleges Bushnell IL