Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Riverview Florida
Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Riverview FL is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.
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Phlebotomy Tech Work Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Riverview FL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Riverview FL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Riverview FL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as 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 superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomy Online Classes
To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Riverview FL 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Riverview FL colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Riverview FL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges 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 assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Riverview FL area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Florida 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. As a minimum, any Riverview FL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the Florida programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Riverview FL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Riverview FL medical community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Riverview FL, make certain 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 ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Riverview FL
Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Riverview FL.
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