Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Hattiesburg Mississippi

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Hattiesburg MS is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 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 reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hattiesburg MS phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Hattiesburg MS hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hattiesburg MS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hattiesburg MS 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Mississippi college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Hattiesburg MS colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Mississippi or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, 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 take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Hattiesburg MS. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Hattiesburg MS local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Mississippi school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, contact the Mississippi regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Hattiesburg MS phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Mississippi programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Hattiesburg MS healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Hattiesburg MS healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hattiesburg MS, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Hattiesburg MS

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hattiesburg MS.

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