Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Perkinston Mississippi

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Perkinston MS is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Perkinston MS phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Perkinston MS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly 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 blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Perkinston MS, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Perkinston 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-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Mississippi college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Perkinston MS schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Perkinston MS. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Perkinston MS area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Mississippi school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Mississippi regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Perkinston MS phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Mississippi colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Perkinston MS health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage 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 a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Perkinston MS medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Perkinston 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Perkinston MS

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Perkinston MS.

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