How to Select the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Classes near South Hutchinson Kansas
Selecting the right phlebotomy training near South Hutchinson KS is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.
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Should You Go to School to Become a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, 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 provide more details 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 South Hutchinson KS medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around anxious people who don’t like 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 don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in South Hutchinson KS laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as South Hutchinson KS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many South Hutchinson KS employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees
First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some South Hutchinson KS students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish 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 South Hutchinson KS in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Kansas or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the South Hutchinson KS job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some South Hutchinson KS clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Kansas school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local South Hutchinson KS healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the South Hutchinson KS medical community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near South Hutchinson KS, make certain they are available at those times. Also, 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
How Do I Become A Phlebotomist South Hutchinson KS
Weekend Phlebotomy Education Near Me South Hutchinson Kansas
Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Weekend Phlebotomy Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Local Phlebotomy Technician Classes. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Hutchinson KS.
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South Hutchinson, Kansas
South Hutchinson is located at 38°1′38″N 97°56′23″W / 38.02722°N 97.93972°W / 38.02722; -97.93972 (38.027185, -97.939769).[11] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.89 square miles (7.49 km2), of which 2.87 square miles (7.43 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[3]
As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 2,457 people, 1,113 households, and 611 families residing in the city. The population density was 856.1 inhabitants per square mile (330.5/km2). There were 1,207 housing units at an average density of 420.6 per square mile (162.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 1.1% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.6% of the population.
There were 1,113 households of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.6% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.1% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 19% 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 2.80.
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