Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Lawrenceville Georgia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Lawrenceville GA is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lawrenceville GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Lawrenceville GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Lawrenceville GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lawrenceville GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in 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 dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, 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 degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Lawrenceville GA programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose 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 School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized 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 an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Lawrenceville GA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Lawrenceville GA local hospitals or clinics that you may 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 grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Lawrenceville GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Georgia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lawrenceville GA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Lawrenceville GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lawrenceville GA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Lawrenceville GA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lawrenceville GA.

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