Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Oak Island North Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Oak Island NC is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot 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 should be part of your selection 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 reviewing 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 classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Oak Island NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Oak Island NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Oak Island NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Oak Island NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Oak Island NC schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Oak Island NC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Oak Island NC local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Oak Island NC phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the North Carolina programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oak Island NC health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Oak Island NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oak Island NC, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready some strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Course near Oak Island NC

Making certain that you choose the ideal 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 program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oak Island NC.

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