Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Montevallo Alabama

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Montevallo AL is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at 2 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 an area campus. We’ll review a bit 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed 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 Montevallo AL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Montevallo AL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Montevallo AL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, 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 preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Montevallo AL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive 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 earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Alabama college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Montevallo AL colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Montevallo AL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Montevallo AL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Alabama school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Alabama regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Montevallo AL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Alabama colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Montevallo AL medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Montevallo AL health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Montevallo AL, make certain 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 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 should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist College near Montevallo AL

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Montevallo AL.

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