Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Roswell Georgia

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Roswell GA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. 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 right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Roswell GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Roswell GA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Roswell GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like 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 premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Roswell 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 attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Roswell GA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very 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 all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable 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 school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Roswell GA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Roswell GA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Roswell GA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Georgia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Roswell GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Roswell GA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Roswell GA, make sure they are offered 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 attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy School near Roswell GA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Roswell GA.

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