Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Dade City Florida

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Dade City FL is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dade City FL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Dade City FL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Dade City FL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dade City FL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Dade City FL colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Florida? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional 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 a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Dade City FL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Dade City FL area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dade City FL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Florida programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Dade City FL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dade City FL health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Dade City FL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Dade City FL

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dade City FL.

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