Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Blythewood South Carolina

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Blythewood SC is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Blythewood SC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Blythewood SC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Blythewood SC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Blythewood SC 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the South Carolina college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Blythewood SC programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Blythewood SC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. 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 ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Blythewood SC area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the South Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the South Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Blythewood SC phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide 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 comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the South Carolina programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Blythewood SC medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Blythewood SC health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Blythewood SC, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Program near Blythewood SC

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Blythewood SC.

Learn About Blythewood South Carolina

 

 

More Interesting South Carolina Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Leesville SC 29070

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Blackville SC 29817

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Georgetown SC 29440

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Johnsonville SC 29555

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Anderson SC 29621

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Gaffney SC 29340

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ravenel SC 29470

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Richburg SC 29729

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hollywood SC 29449

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Edisto Island SC 29438