Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near North Wilkesboro North Carolina

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near North Wilkesboro NC is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process 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 online classes or commute to a local 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 finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some North Wilkesboro NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including North Wilkesboro NC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending 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 only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in North Wilkesboro NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved North Wilkesboro 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the North Wilkesboro NC programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in North Wilkesboro NC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some North Wilkesboro NC local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any North Wilkesboro NC phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the North Carolina schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local North Wilkesboro NC health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the North Wilkesboro NC medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near North Wilkesboro NC, make certain they are available at those times. Also, 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 find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near North Wilkesboro NC

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in North Wilkesboro NC.

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