Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Pontotoc Mississippi

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Pontotoc MS is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot 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. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Pontotoc MS phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Pontotoc MS hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Pontotoc MS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Pontotoc MS healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Mississippi college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Pontotoc MS schools you are considering before making your final decision.

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

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several 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 take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Pontotoc MS. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Pontotoc MS local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Mississippi school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Pontotoc MS phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Mississippi programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Pontotoc MS medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing provide 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 an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pontotoc MS health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Pontotoc MS, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Pontotoc MS

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pontotoc MS.

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