Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Wilmington North Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Wilmington NC is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab 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. Many Wilmington NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Wilmington NC hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, 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, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Wilmington NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Wilmington 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online 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 ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Wilmington NC programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Wilmington NC. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Wilmington NC area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Wilmington NC phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the North Carolina programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Wilmington NC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Wilmington NC health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Wilmington NC, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy College near Wilmington NC

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Wilmington NC.

Learn About Wilmington North Carolina

 

 

More Interesting North Carolina Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mocksville NC 27028

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Camp Lejeune NC 28542

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Red Springs NC 28377

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pittsboro NC 27312

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Williamston NC 27892

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Nags Head NC 27959

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bunn NC 27508

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Welcome NC 27374

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cherryville NC 28021

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Haw River NC 27258