Certified Phlebotomy Technician Schools Oak Grove MO

How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Technician School near Oak Grove Missouri

Oak Grove MO phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Oak Grove MO is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

blood analysis performed in Oak Grove MO lab First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who selects this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Oak Grove MO medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work with anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

Oak Grove MO phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Oak Grove MO laboratories 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 can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Oak Grove MO hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working 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 mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

Oak Grove MO phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Oak Grove MO employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

National Phlebotomy Association
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

Oak Grove MO student attending online phlebotomy classes To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many Oak Grove MO students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

What to ask Oak Grove MO phlebotomy schools Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from Oak Grove MO as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Missouri? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Missouri or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the Oak Grove MO job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start 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 reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Oak Grove MO clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Missouri school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working 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 reviewing should provide no less than 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 adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Oak Grove MO healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most 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 Oak Grove MO healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oak Grove MO, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomy Tech Programs Oak Grove MO

Certified Phlebotomy Technician Schools Oak Grove Missouri

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Certified Phlebotomy Technician Schools and to get more information regarding Phlebotomist Course Cost. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oak Grove MO.