Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Ardmore OK 73401

Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Ardmore Oklahoma

Ardmore OK phlebotomist taking blood sampleEnrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near Ardmore OK is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to researching phlebotomist training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are considering to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

Ardmore OK phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to 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 Ardmore OK area labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

Ardmore OK diagnostic lab blood analysisThe easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Ardmore OK medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

Ardmore OK phlebotomy lab There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish 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 phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at Ardmore OK community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of Ardmore OK employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

  • National Phlebotomy Association
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
  • American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
  • American Medical Technologists (AMT).

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Ardmore OKTo start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some Ardmore OK students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college 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 receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type 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 significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Ardmore OK colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Oklahoma or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program 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 exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Ardmore OK job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Ardmore OK clinics or hospitals 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 Oklahoma school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide 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 Ardmore OK training program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with Ardmore OK medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Ardmore health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance 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 most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Ardmore OK health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ardmore OK, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Ardmore OK?

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Ardmore is a business, cultural, and tourism city in and the county seat of Carter County, Oklahoma, United States.[3] As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,283,[4] with an estimated population of 24,950 in 2013.[5] The Ardmore micropolitan statistical area had an estimated population of 48,491 in 2013.[6] Ardmore is 90 miles (140 km) from both Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, at the junction of Interstate 35 and U.S. Highway 70, and is generally considered the hub of the ten-county region of South Central Oklahoma, also known by state tourism pamphlets as "Arbuckle Country" and "Lake and Trail Country." Ardmore is situated about 9 miles (14 km) south of the Arbuckle Mountains and is located at the eastern margin of the Healdton Basin, one of the most oil-rich regions of the United States.

Ardmore was named after the affluent Philadelphia suburb and historic Pennsylvania Main Line stop of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, which was named after Ardmore in County Waterford, Ireland, by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1873. The name "Ardmore" is Irish for high grounds or hills. It is also a part of the Texoma region.

Ardmore, Indian Territory, began with a plowed ditch for a Main Street in the summer of 1887 in Pickens County, Chickasaw Nation. It owes much of its existence to the construction of the Santa Fe Railroad through the area during that time. It grew, as most frontier towns grew, over the years into a trading outpost for the region. In 1894, notorious outlaw William M. Dalton was gunned down by a posse as he tried to flee from his home in Ardmore. A large fire in 1895 destroyed much of the fledgling town, which forced residents to rebuild nearly the entire town.[7] In the early 1900s, Ardmore became well known for its abundance of cotton-growing fields and eventually became known as the world's largest inland cotton port.

After the fields were stripped of their fertility, however, the city found itself positioned next to one of the largest oil fields ever produced in Oklahoma, the Healdton Oil Field. After its discovery in 1913, entrepreneurs and wildcatters flooded the area, and Carter County quickly became the largest oil-producing county in Oklahoma, and has remained so ever since.[8] Ardmore has remained an energy center for the region ever since, with the region's natural wealth giving birth to such energy giants as Halliburton and the Noble Energy companies, among others. Ardmore also learned the perils of being energy-rich with yet another disaster in 1915, when a railroad car containing casing gas exploded, killing 45 people and destroying much of downtown, including areas rebuilt after the 1895 fire.[9] The disaster, which made national news, gave residents the resolve to establish the city's first fire department to ensure that such events would not recur in the future. The city has not experienced any major setbacks since the 1915 fire, save a 1995 tornado that nearly destroyed the Uniroyal Goodrich (now Michelin) tire plant in west Ardmore. Despite a shift at the plant working at the time, miraculously no one was killed as the tornado ripped through the area, due to the public being alerted by area news and tornado sirens. On April 22, 1966, Ardmore was the site of the worst plane crash in Oklahoma history, which killed 83 people.[10]

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Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Ardmore OK

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ardmore OK.

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