What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs<\/strong><\/h3>\nNow that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Alabama college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Opelika AL schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.<\/p>\n
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State?<\/strong> As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Alabama or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.<\/p>\nIs the School Accredited?<\/strong> The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Opelika AL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.<\/p>\nWhat is the College’s Ranking?<\/strong> In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Opelika AL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Alabama school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.<\/p>\nIs Ample Training Included?<\/strong> To begin with, check with the Alabama regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Opelika AL phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.<\/p>\nAre Internships Included?<\/strong> Ask the Alabama colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Opelika AL health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.<\/p>\nIs Job Placement Help Available?<\/strong> Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning 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 Opelika AL medical community.<\/p>\nAre Class Times Available as Needed?<\/strong> And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Opelika AL, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.<\/p>\nWhy Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nWhen prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is \"What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?\". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some strategies about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.\nSelect the Best Phlebotomist Course near Opelika AL<\/strong><\/h3>\nMaking sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Opelika AL<\/strong>.<\/p>\nLearn About Opelika Alabama<\/h3>\nOpelika, Alabama<\/h3>
Opelika (pronounced |\u02cco\u028a p\u0259\u02c8la\u026a k\u0259|) is a city in and the county seat of Lee County in the east central part of the State of Alabama.[4] It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area. According to the 2013 Census Estimate, the population of Opelika was 28,635.[2] The Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA with a population of 150,933 which, along with the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area and Macon County, Alabama, comprises the greater Greater Columbus, Georgia, a region home to 501,649 residents.<\/p>
The first white settlers in the area now known as Opelika arrived in the late 1830s and established a community called Lebanon. After the removal of the native Creek (Muscogee) peoples by federal troops in 1836-37, the area became known as \"Opelika.\" This word taken from the Muskogee language means \"large swamp\". Settlement was sporadic until the late 1840s, when the railroad reached the town. This stimulated development of Opelika as a commercial center.<\/p>
In 1848, the Montgomery and West Point Railroad Company extended a rail line from Montgomery, Alabama, to Opelika, and in 1851, completed a connection to West Point, Georgia, thus connecting Opelika with Atlanta, Georgia. This line was the only direct rail route between New Orleans and the Eastern Seaboard. It rapidly became one of the primary trade lines for shipments of raw cotton from Southern plantations to the North. The Montgomery and West Point was soon joined by a rail connection to Columbus, Georgia, in 1855, and a connection to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1869. Almost overnight, Opelika became a regional hub for commerce.<\/p>
To manage this rapid growth, Opelika was incorporated as a town on February 9, 1854, then within Russell County. As a result of Opelika's transportation infrastructure, many warehouses for storing cotton and other goods were built. With the onset of the Civil War, these warehouses were converted to Confederate supply depots. In 1864 and 1865, Union raids commanded by Lovell Rousseau and James H. Wilson attacked Opelika, tearing up the railroads and destroying all government property, including Opelika's warehouses.<\/p><\/div>\n
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