Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Warner Robins Georgia

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Warner Robins GA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant 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 pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out 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 can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Warner Robins GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Warner Robins GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Warner Robins GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification before 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Warner Robins GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Warner Robins GA schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Georgia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams 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 agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Warner Robins GA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Warner Robins GA local hospitals or clinics that you may 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 grievances have been submitted or if the schools 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Warner Robins GA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Georgia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Warner Robins GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most 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 Warner Robins GA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Warner Robins GA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety 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 Technician and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Warner Robins GA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Warner Robins GA.

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