Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Elizabethtown North Carolina

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Elizabethtown NC is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Elizabethtown NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Elizabethtown 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 babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting 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, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Elizabethtown NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Elizabethtown 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Elizabethtown NC colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to North Carolina? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose 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 examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick 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 in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able 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 frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Elizabethtown NC. Finally, 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 School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important 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 research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Elizabethtown NC area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Elizabethtown NC phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the North Carolina programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Elizabethtown NC medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Elizabethtown NC medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Elizabethtown NC, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 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 Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Elizabethtown NC

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before 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 college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Elizabethtown NC.

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