Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Sylvania Georgia

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Sylvania GA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Sylvania GA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Sylvania GA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Sylvania GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Sylvania 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Sylvania GA colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Sylvania GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Sylvania GA local 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 contact the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Sylvania GA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Georgia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Sylvania GA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Sylvania GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sylvania GA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Sylvania GA

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sylvania GA.

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