Picking a Phlebotomist Course near La Fayette Georgia
Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near La Fayette GA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.
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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some La Fayette GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including La Fayette GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in La Fayette GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees
To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved La Fayette GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the La Fayette GA schools you are looking at before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. 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 meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in La Fayette GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any 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 assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some La Fayette GA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Georgia 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. As a minimum, any La Fayette GA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the Georgia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local La Fayette GA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the La Fayette GA healthcare community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near La Fayette GA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near La Fayette GA
Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in La Fayette GA.
Learn About La Fayette Georgia
LaFayette, Georgia
LaFayette (/lʌˈfeɪɛt/ luh-FAY-et) is a city in, and the county seat of, Walker County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,702, which rose to 7,121 in 2010. It was founded as Chattooga.
LaFayette is part of the Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Statistical Area.
LaFayette was founded as Chattooga, in 1835, as the seat of newly formed Walker County.[4] The county was named after the former United States senator Freeman Walker.[5] Chattooga was renamed LaFayette in 1836 after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who fought in the American Revolutionary War.[6]
LaFayette is located at 34°42′35″N 85°17′2″W / 34.70972°N 85.28389°W / 34.70972; -85.28389 (34.709704, -85.283862).[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km2), all land.
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