Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Nahunta Georgia

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Nahunta GA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk 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 finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important 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 need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out 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 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 Nahunta GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Nahunta GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood 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 working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Nahunta GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Nahunta GA 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting 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 all of the Nahunta GA programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Nahunta GA. Last, graduating from an accredited college 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 those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Nahunta GA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Nahunta GA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Georgia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Nahunta GA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist 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 rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Nahunta GA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Nahunta GA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Nahunta GA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Nahunta GA.

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