Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Hickory North Carolina

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Hickory NC is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Hickory NC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Hickory NC hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing 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 variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Hickory NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hickory 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 may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Hickory NC colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to North Carolina? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality 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 earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Hickory 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 a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Hickory NC area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Hickory NC phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Hickory NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hickory NC health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Hickory NC, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Hickory NC

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hickory NC.

Learn About Hickory North Carolina

 

 

More Interesting North Carolina Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Erwin NC 28339

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Shelby NC 28150

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Tryon NC 28782

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Concord NC 28025

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Middlesex NC 27557

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Manns Harbor NC 27953

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hildebran NC 28637

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mccutcheon Field NC 28545

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Jefferson NC 28640

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Oriental NC 28571