Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Laurel Mississippi

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Laurel MS is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes 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 factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Some Laurel MS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Laurel MS medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Laurel MS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means 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 junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Laurel MS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Mississippi college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Laurel MS colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Mississippi? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Mississippi or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Laurel MS. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many 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 investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students 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 also talk to a few Laurel MS local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Mississippi school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 Laurel MS phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Mississippi schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Laurel MS medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Laurel MS healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Laurel MS, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Laurel MS

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Laurel MS.

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