Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Clayton North Carolina

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Clayton NC is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must 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 reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Clayton NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Clayton NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Clayton NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Clayton NC 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 North Carolina campus is important as well as the tuition expense. 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 making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Clayton NC schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Clayton NC. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Clayton NC area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Clayton NC phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Clayton NC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Clayton NC healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Clayton NC, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Clayton NC

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy 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 a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clayton NC.

Learn About Clayton North Carolina

 

 

More Interesting North Carolina Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Washington NC 27889

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Corolla NC 27927

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Harkers Island NC 28531

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Walnut Cove NC 27052

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Goldsboro NC 27530

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Youngsville NC 27596

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oriental NC 28571

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Matthews NC 28104

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Plymouth NC 27962

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oxford NC 27565