Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Camak Georgia
Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Camak GA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option 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 you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.
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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Camak GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Practice?
The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Camak GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Camak GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Training
To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Camak GA 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-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type 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 significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Camak GA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Camak GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer 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 as well. You can even check with a few Camak GA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Camak GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the Georgia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care 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 develop contacts within the local Camak GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Camak GA healthcare community.
Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Camak GA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Camak GA
Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Camak GA.
Learn About Camak Georgia
Camak, Georgia
Camak is a town in Warren County, Georgia, United States. The town is located just off Interstate 20 between Atlanta and Augusta. The population was 165 at the 2000 census.
Camak is located at 33°27′11″N 82°38′54″W / 33.45306°N 82.64833°W / 33.45306; -82.64833 (33.453039, -82.648287).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km2), all land.
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 165 people, 71 households, and 40 families residing in the town. The population density was 209.2 people per square mile (80.6/km²). There were 84 housing units at an average density of 106.5 per square mile (41.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 46.06% White, 53.33% African American and 0.61% Native American.
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