Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Kill Devil Hills North Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Kill Devil Hills NC is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Kill Devil Hills NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Kill Devil Hills NC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Kill Devil Hills NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in 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.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Kill Devil Hills NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior 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.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Kill Devil Hills NC schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to North Carolina? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Kill Devil Hills NC. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Kill Devil Hills NC local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Kill Devil Hills NC phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Kill Devil Hills NC medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing 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 rate 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 an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Kill Devil Hills NC health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Kill Devil Hills NC, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Kill Devil Hills NC

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Kill Devil Hills NC.

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