How to Pick the Best Phlebotomist School near Unionville Iowa
Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Unionville IA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 conversation about online training.
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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Unionville IA medical facilities, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work with anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly 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 lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Unionville IA labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Unionville IA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Unionville IA employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the key certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Schools
To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. 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. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some Unionville IA students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
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 chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Unionville IA in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Iowa or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Unionville IA job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. 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 research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Unionville IA clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Iowa school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 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 furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Unionville IA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Unionville IA healthcare community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Unionville IA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
How Long Does Phlebotomy Classes Take Unionville IA
How to Enroll in Phlebotomy Technician Education Near Me Unionville Iowa
Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How to Enroll in Phlebotomy Technician Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Online Phlebotomy Tech Classes. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Unionville IA.
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Unionville, Iowa
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 102 people, 49 households, and 29 families residing in the city. The population density was 136.0 inhabitants per square mile (52.5/km2). There were 60 housing units at an average density of 80.0 per square mile (30.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.
There were 49 households of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.8% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.66.
The median age in the city was 51.8 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.6% were from 25 to 44; 40.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
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