How to Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Broken Bow Nebraska
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Broken Bow NE is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who selects this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Broken Bow NE medical environments, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work with nervous people who don’t like 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 can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Broken Bow NE labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Broken Bow NE medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many Broken Bow NE employers look for certification before hiring 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Schools
To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some Broken Bow NE students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs
Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 school is significant if you will be commuting from Broken Bow NE in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, 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 requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Nebraska or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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 quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Broken Bow NE job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Broken Bow NE clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Nebraska 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, check with 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Broken Bow NE medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support 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 the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Broken Bow NE medical community.
Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Broken Bow NE, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Accredited Phlebotomy Training Broken Bow NE
Requirements To Become A Phlebotomist Broken Bow Nebraska
Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Requirements To Become A Phlebotomist and to get more information regarding 2 Day Phlebotomy Training. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Broken Bow NE.
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Broken Bow, Nebraska
Broken Bow was platted in 1882.[7] Its name, likely suggested by a settler who found a broken bow in a field at the site of a former Indian camping ground, was submitted by homesteader Wilson Hewitt to the U.S. Post Office Department.[8] The railroad was built through Broken Bow in 1884, and the town was incorporated as a village that same year.[7] Broken Bow was incorporated as a city of the second class in 1888.[9]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 3,559 people, 1,575 households, and 909 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.2 inhabitants per square mile (723.2/km2). There were 1,730 housing units at an average density of 910.5 per square mile (351.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.7% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population.
There were 1,575 households of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% 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 2.90.
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