Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Piedmont South Carolina

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Piedmont SC is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Piedmont SC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Piedmont SC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Piedmont SC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest 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 phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When 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 hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Piedmont SC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program 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 receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Piedmont SC programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized 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 program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, 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 getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Piedmont SC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer 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 also. You can also talk to some Piedmont SC local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the South Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the South Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Piedmont SC phlebotomy 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 might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the South Carolina schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Piedmont SC medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Piedmont SC healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Piedmont SC, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Piedmont SC

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Piedmont SC.

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