Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Altamonte Springs Florida

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Altamonte Springs FL is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search 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 a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. 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 choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Altamonte Springs FL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Altamonte Springs FL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Altamonte Springs FL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick 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 Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Altamonte Springs FL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Florida college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Altamonte Springs FL schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Altamonte Springs FL. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Altamonte Springs FL local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Altamonte Springs FL phlebotomy 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 signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Florida colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Altamonte Springs FL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Altamonte Springs FL health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Altamonte Springs FL, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous factors 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 interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Altamonte Springs FL

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Altamonte Springs FL.

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