Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Bolingbroke Georgia

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Bolingbroke GA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs 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 laboratory 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Bolingbroke GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Bolingbroke GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bolingbroke GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy 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.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bolingbroke GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Bolingbroke GA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Bolingbroke GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Bolingbroke GA local 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 check with the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the Georgia 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. As a minimum, any Bolingbroke GA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority 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 Provided? Ask the Georgia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Bolingbroke GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bolingbroke GA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bolingbroke GA, 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 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 Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Bolingbroke GA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bolingbroke GA.

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