Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Mississippi State Mississippi

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Mississippi State MS is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Mississippi State MS phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Mississippi State MS medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, 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 Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Mississippi State MS, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including 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 superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain 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 Mississippi State 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 school is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Mississippi State MS schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Mississippi or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Mississippi State MS. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Mississippi State MS area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Mississippi school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Mississippi State MS phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish 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 comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Mississippi programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Mississippi State MS health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Mississippi State MS medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Mississippi State MS, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Mississippi State MS

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Mississippi State MS.

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