How to Pick the Best Phlebotomist Training Program near Edgemont South Dakota
Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Edgemont SD is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal 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 Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Edgemont SD medical environments, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work around nervous people who hate needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, nights 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 patient and compassionate, this could be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Edgemont SD labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Edgemont SD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most Edgemont SD employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Classes
To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some Edgemont SD students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Edgemont SD as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for South Dakota or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Edgemont SD job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, 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 schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Edgemont SD clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the South Dakota school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Edgemont SD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Edgemont SD health care community.
Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Edgemont SD, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy Technician School Edgemont SD
Online Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me Edgemont South Dakota
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me and to get more information regarding Accredited Drawing Blood Courses Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Edgemont SD.
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Edgemont, South Dakota
Edgemont is a city in Fall River County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 774 at the 2010 census. The city lies on the far southern edge of the Black Hills in southwestern South Dakota.
On the morning of January 17, 2017, a BNSF Railway westbound train struck and killed two roadway workers, including the watchman/lookout. The accident occurred at milepost 477, on the Black Hills subdivision, in Edgemont.[11]
The city lies at the intersection of US Highway 18 and South Dakota Highway 471. Its closest neighbors are Burdock and Dewey to the northwest, Hot Springs to the northeast, and Provo and Rumford to the south.
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