Picking a Phlebotomy School near Savannah Georgia

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Savannah GA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. 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 ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Savannah GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Savannah GA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Savannah GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Savannah GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

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 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Savannah GA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Georgia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Savannah GA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Savannah GA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Savannah GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Georgia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Savannah GA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Savannah GA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Savannah GA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure 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 Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Savannah GA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Savannah GA.

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