Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Lula Georgia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Lula GA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening 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 Lula GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control 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 Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Lula GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can 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 blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Lula GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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 California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Lula GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Lula GA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, 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 prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lula GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those 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 start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Lula GA local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, 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. At a minimum, any Lula GA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Georgia colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Lula GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Lula GA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lula GA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Lula GA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lula GA.

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