Illinois Archives - Train to Become a Phlebotomist

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Washburn Illinois

Washburn IL phlebotomist taking blood sample Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Washburn IL is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to researching phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including 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 considering to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

Washburn IL phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Washburn IL area laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

Washburn IL diagnostic lab blood analysis The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Washburn IL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

Washburn IL phlebotomy lab There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at Washburn IL community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many Washburn IL employers require 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Washburn IL First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some Washburn IL students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (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 disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Washburn IL colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Illinois or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior 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 earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Washburn IL job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Washburn IL clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Illinois school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the Washburn IL training program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with Washburn IL healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Washburn medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Washburn IL healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Washburn IL, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Washburn IL?

Washburn, Illinois

Washburn is a village mostly in Woodford County, with a small northerly portion in Marshall County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,158 at the 2010 census, up from 1,147 in 2000. It is part of the Peoria, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 1,147 people, 436 households, and 309 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,576.6 people per square mile (606.7/km²). There were 476 housing units at an average density of 654.3 per square mile (251.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.38% White, 0.17% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.35% from other races, and 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.

There were 436 households out of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the village, the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 18.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

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Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Washburn IL

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Washburn IL.