How to Choose the Best Phlebotomy Technician Training Course near Bedford Ohio
Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Bedford OH is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.
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Should You Become a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Bedford OH medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work around anxious people who hate needles or having their blood taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you may be required 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 compassionate and very patient, this could be the right job for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Bedford OH labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Bedford OH hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of Bedford OH employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed 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 part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many Bedford OH students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
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 decided on 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 important if you will be commuting from Bedford OH as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Ohio? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Bedford OH job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Bedford OH clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Ohio school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Bedford OH health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bedford OH healthcare community.
Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bedford OH, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
US Colleges Phlebotomy Bedford OH
How to Enroll in Phlebotomist Colleges Bedford Ohio
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, 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 offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How to Enroll in Phlebotomist Colleges and to get more information regarding Online Phlebotomy Technician Programs. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bedford OH.
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Bedford, Ohio
Bedford is located at 41°23′33″N 81°32′04″W / 41.392404°N 81.534441°W / 41.392404; -81.534441.[10] It is a first ring suburb to the southeast of Cleveland. The city is bounded by Maple Heights to the north and west, Valley View to the west, Walton Hills and Northfield to the south, Oakwood to the south and east, and Bedford Heights to the east.
According to the 2010 census, the city has a total area of 5.40 square miles (14.0 km2), of which 5.35 square miles (13.9 km2) (or 99.07%) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km2) (or 0.93%) is water.[11]
The boundaries of the city of Bedford include part of the Bedford Reservation. The reservation includes Tinker’s Creek, which flows through a gorge that has been listed as a National Natural Landmark. The Great Falls of Tinker’s Creek are within the city limits of Bedford.
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