How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Gladbrook Iowa
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Gladbrook IA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection 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 choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Technician?
Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care 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 anxious in hospitals or other Gladbrook IA medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work with anxious people who hate needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the right job for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomist Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Gladbrook IA labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Gladbrook IA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most Gladbrook IA employers look for 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Schools
First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many Gladbrook IA students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Gladbrook IA as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. 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 schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Iowa? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Gladbrook IA job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Gladbrook IA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Iowa school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Gladbrook IA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Gladbrook IA healthcare community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Gladbrook IA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Phlebotomy Training Online Gladbrook IA
Find Phlebotomist Colleges Gladbrook Iowa
Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Find Phlebotomist Colleges and to get more information regarding Free Info on Phlebotomy Technician Programs. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gladbrook IA.
More Iowa Bloody Wonderful Locations
Gladbrook, Iowa
On March 21, 1910, the Green Mountain train wreck occurred between Gladbrook and Green Mountain in which a derailment killed more than fifty people riding on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific line.[6]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 945 people, 410 households, and 251 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,350.0 inhabitants per square mile (521.2/km2). There were 467 housing units at an average density of 667.1 per square mile (257.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.8% White, 0.5% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.
There were 410 households of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.8% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.78.
Business Results 1 - 10 of 1
3 Reviews 