Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Buchanan Georgia

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Buchanan GA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly 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 lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Buchanan GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train 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 environments are many and varied, including Buchanan GA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Buchanan GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Buchanan GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Subjects 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 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 Georgia campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Buchanan GA programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Georgia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Buchanan GA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Buchanan GA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. 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 Enough Training Included? First, check with the Georgia 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. At a minimum, any Buchanan GA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Buchanan GA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high 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 a large network of professional contacts within the Buchanan GA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Buchanan GA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Buchanan GA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Buchanan GA.

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