Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Kittrell North Carolina

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Kittrell NC is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember 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 should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

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. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Kittrell NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Kittrell NC hospitals, medical clinics, 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 phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Kittrell NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kittrell NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Kittrell NC schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to North Carolina? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Kittrell NC. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Kittrell NC local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Kittrell NC phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Kittrell NC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high 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 large network of professional contacts within the Kittrell NC health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Kittrell NC, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Kittrell NC

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kittrell NC.

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