Picking a Phlebotomy School near Halifax North Carolina

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Halifax NC is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Halifax NC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Halifax NC hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Halifax NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Halifax 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. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Halifax NC schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Halifax NC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Halifax NC area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, 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. At a minimum, any Halifax NC phlebotomist program that you are considering 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the North Carolina colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Halifax NC health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most 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 Halifax NC medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Halifax NC, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Halifax NC

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Halifax NC.

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