Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Sharon Georgia
Picking the right phlebotomist school near Sharon GA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.
Phlebotomist Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory 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. Many Sharon GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Sharon GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Sharon GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method 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 to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Schools
To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Sharon GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Sharon GA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Sharon GA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Sharon 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 contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Sharon GA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the Georgia colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Sharon GA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Sharon GA health care community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Sharon GA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?
When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy School near Sharon GA
Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to 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 accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sharon GA.
Learn About Sharon Georgia
Sharon, Georgia
Sharon is a city in Taliaferro County, Georgia, United States. The population was 105 at the 2000 census.
The community of Sharon is visible on maps as early as 1865.[4] Its residents incorporated as a city in 1884. Around that time and into the 1890s, Sharon was bustling with thousands of travelers who came there for the reputed healing powers of the nearby Electric Health Resort, where it was said that exposure to bedrock in a subterranean chamber provided electrical healing powers. The resort, which included a hotel, lake, and post office, eventually burned down.[5]
Sharon is located at 33°33′31″N 82°47′38″W / 33.55861°N 82.79389°W / 33.55861; -82.79389 (33.558724, -82.793784).[6]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.
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