Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Blairsville Georgia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Blairsville GA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Blairsville GA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Blairsville GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Blairsville GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Blairsville GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Blairsville GA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Georgia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Blairsville GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some 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 begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Blairsville GA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Georgia 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 Blairsville GA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Georgia schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Blairsville GA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Blairsville GA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Blairsville GA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Blairsville GA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Blairsville GA.

Learn About Blairsville Georgia

 

 

More Interesting Georgia Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ball Ground GA 30107

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Nahunta GA 31553

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Statham GA 30666

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stockbridge GA 30281

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Statesboro GA 30458

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bolingbroke GA 31004

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Perkins GA 30822

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hephzibah GA 30815

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stone Mountain GA 30083

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Moultrie GA 31768