Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Farmington Georgia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Farmington GA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first 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 discuss 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to 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 resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Farmington GA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Farmington GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Farmington GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Farmington GA 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Farmington GA programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Farmington GA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Farmington GA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Georgia 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Farmington GA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Farmington GA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Farmington GA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Farmington GA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Course near Farmington GA

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Farmington GA.

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