Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Waleska Georgia

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Waleska GA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Waleska GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Waleska GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Waleska GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Waleska 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 practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type 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 in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Waleska GA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Georgia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Waleska GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Waleska GA area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. 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 Adequate Training Included? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Waleska GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 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 expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Georgia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Waleska GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Waleska GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Waleska GA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Waleska GA

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Waleska GA.

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