Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Jackson Mississippi

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Jackson MS is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Jackson MS phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Jackson MS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Jackson MS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal 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, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Jackson MS 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Mississippi school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Jackson MS programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Mississippi? 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. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Mississippi or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Jackson MS. 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 Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Jackson MS local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Mississippi school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Mississippi 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. At a minimum, any Jackson MS phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Mississippi programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Jackson MS health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Jackson MS healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Jackson MS, 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. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Jackson MS

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat 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 thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Jackson MS.

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