Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Redan Georgia

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Redan GA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Redan GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Redan GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Redan GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Redan 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. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Redan GA programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Georgia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Redan GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with several Redan GA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Redan GA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Georgia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Redan GA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Redan GA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Redan GA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Redan GA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Redan GA.

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