Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Castle Hayne North Carolina

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Castle Hayne NC is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Castle Hayne NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Castle Hayne NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Castle Hayne NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general 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 phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 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 quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Castle Hayne NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Castle Hayne NC colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Castle Hayne NC. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Castle Hayne NC area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Castle Hayne NC phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Castle Hayne NC health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Castle Hayne NC medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Castle Hayne NC, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Castle Hayne NC

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Castle Hayne NC.

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