Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Dundee Florida

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Dundee FL is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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 Dundee FL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Dundee FL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working 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 newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Dundee FL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like 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 supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dundee 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. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Florida school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Dundee FL programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each 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, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take 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 not available for non-accredited programs in Dundee FL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Dundee FL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer 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 total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Dundee FL phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Florida colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Dundee FL medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dundee FL medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dundee FL, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Dundee FL

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dundee FL.

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