Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Sylvester Georgia

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Sylvester GA is an important initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Sylvester GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Sylvester GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting 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 senior 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 setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Sylvester GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior 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. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Sylvester GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, 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 campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Sylvester GA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Georgia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Sylvester GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Sylvester GA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed 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 learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Sylvester GA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Sylvester GA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Sylvester GA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sylvester GA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Sylvester GA

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sylvester GA.

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