Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near North Port Florida

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy school near North Port FL is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm 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 must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some North Port FL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as North Port FL medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in North Port FL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved North Port 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-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the North Port FL schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Florida? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in North Port FL. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some North Port FL local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any North Port FL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Florida schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local North Port FL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the North Port FL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near North Port FL, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near North Port FL

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in North Port FL.

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