How to Pick the Best Phlebotomy School near Elk Point South Dakota
Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Elk Point SD is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover 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 probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Elk Point SD medical facilities, well this job may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights 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 perfect job for you.
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Phlebotomist Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Elk Point SD laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Elk Point SD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most Elk Point SD employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomy Training
First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for some Elk Point SD students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.
Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant if you will be commuting from Elk Point SD as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to South Dakota? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for South Dakota or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Elk Point SD job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Elk Point SD hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the South Dakota school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at 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 comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Sponsored? 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 get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Elk Point SD medical community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Elk Point SD healthcare community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Elk Point SD, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Online Phlebotomy Programs Elk Point SD
Online Phlebotomy Technician Training Near Me Elk Point South Dakota
Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health 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. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Online Phlebotomy Technician Training Near Me and to get more information regarding Accredited Drawing Blood Associates Degrees Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Elk Point SD.
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Elk Point, South Dakota
The British established a Hudson's Bay Company trading post in 1755 near present-day Elk Point.[7] Elk Point was so named on account of the abundant elk in the area.[8] The town was incorporated in 1873.[9]
Elk Point is located at 42°41′8″N 96°40′54″W / 42.68556°N 96.68167°W / 42.68556; -96.68167 (42.685512, −96.681789).[10] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.36 square miles (3.52 km2), all land.[2]
As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 1,963 people, 770 households, and 505 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,443.4 inhabitants per square mile (557.3/km2). There were 830 housing units at an average density of 610.3 per square mile (235.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.
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