Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Cape Canaveral Florida

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Cape Canaveral FL is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Cape Canaveral FL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Cape Canaveral FL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Cape Canaveral FL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cape Canaveral FL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Cape Canaveral FL colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Florida? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cape Canaveral FL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the 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 along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Cape Canaveral FL area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Florida regulator or 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. As a minimum, any Cape Canaveral FL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Florida colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Cape Canaveral FL health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cape Canaveral FL medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cape Canaveral FL, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Cape Canaveral FL

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cape Canaveral FL.

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