How to Pick the Best Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Davenport Oklahoma
Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Davenport OK is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection 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 reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.
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Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?
First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Davenport OK medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work with anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be expected to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomist Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Davenport OK labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Davenport OK hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as 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 phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most Davenport OK employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Training
To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed 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 component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many Davenport OK students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Davenport OK in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are considering before making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws 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 practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Oklahoma or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Davenport OK job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In many 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 essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Davenport OK clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Oklahoma school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from 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 typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Davenport OK health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate 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 as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Davenport OK health care community.
Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Davenport OK, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
How Long Is A Phlebotomy Course Davenport OK
Fast Track Phlebotomy Tech Programs Davenport Oklahoma
Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Fast Track Phlebotomy Tech Programs and to get more information regarding Part Time Phlebotomy Colleges Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Davenport OK.
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Davenport, Oklahoma
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 881 people, 353 households, and 261 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,082.2 people per square mile (419.9/km²). There were 401 housing units at an average density of 492.6 per square mile (191.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.24% White, 3.41% African American, 6.81% Native American, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 3.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population.
There were 353 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town, the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.
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