Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Ringgold Georgia

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Ringgold GA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Ringgold GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Ringgold GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, 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 newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Ringgold GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with 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 phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ringgold 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 component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind 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 school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Ringgold GA programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Ringgold GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Ringgold GA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Ringgold GA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Ringgold GA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Ringgold GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ringgold GA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Ringgold GA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ringgold GA.

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