Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Littleton North Carolina

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Littleton NC is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing 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 provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Littleton NC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Littleton NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Littleton NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Littleton 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in 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 superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Littleton NC programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Littleton NC. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal 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 schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Littleton NC area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any Littleton 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 practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Littleton NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Littleton NC healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Littleton NC, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Littleton NC

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Littleton NC.

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