Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Mount Dora Florida

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Mount Dora FL is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick 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 classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Mount Dora FL phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Mount Dora FL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Mount Dora 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 provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Mount Dora 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Mount Dora FL colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Florida? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Mount Dora FL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Mount Dora FL local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Florida school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Mount Dora FL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Florida colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Mount Dora FL health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Mount Dora FL health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mount Dora FL, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Mount Dora FL

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options 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 Mount Dora FL.

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