How to Pick the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Lockwood Missouri
Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Lockwood MO is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. 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 ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.
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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Lockwood MO medical environments, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work around nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings and 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 right job for you.
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Phlebotomist Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Lockwood MO laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Lockwood MO medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked 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 kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing 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, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many Lockwood MO employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Training
To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some Lockwood MO students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is significant if you will be commuting from Lockwood MO 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 process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Missouri? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Missouri or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Lockwood MO job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Lockwood MO clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Missouri school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Adequate 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lockwood MO medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Lockwood MO health care community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lockwood MO, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Colleges That Offer Phlebotomy Program Lockwood MO
Phlebotomy School Online Lockwood Missouri
Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy School Online and to get more information regarding Become A Phlebotomist Online. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lockwood MO.
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Lockwood, Missouri
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 936 people, 381 households, and 244 families residing in the city. The population density was 964.9 inhabitants per square mile (372.5/km2). There were 451 housing units at an average density of 464.9 per square mile (179.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.3% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 381 households of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 43.9 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
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