Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Blue Ridge Georgia

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Blue Ridge GA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Blue Ridge GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Blue Ridge GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Blue Ridge GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide 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, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Blue Ridge GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now 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 selected 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 Georgia campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Blue Ridge GA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Blue Ridge GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous 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 important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Blue Ridge GA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Blue Ridge GA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Georgia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Blue Ridge GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Blue Ridge GA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Blue Ridge GA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And 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 should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Blue Ridge GA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Blue Ridge GA.

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