Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Marco Island Florida

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Marco Island FL is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss 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 finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Marco Island FL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Marco Island FL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Marco Island FL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Marco Island FL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program 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 receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Marco Island FL schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Marco Island FL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Marco Island FL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Marco Island FL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Florida schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Marco Island FL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Marco Island FL health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Marco Island FL, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Marco Island FL

Making sure that you pick the most suitable 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 a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Marco Island FL.

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