Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Durham North Carolina

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Durham NC is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform 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 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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. Some Durham NC phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Durham NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Durham NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Durham NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Durham NC programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to North Carolina? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Durham NC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Durham NC local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Durham NC phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Durham NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Durham NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Durham NC, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Durham NC

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Durham NC.

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