Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Keystone Heights Florida

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Keystone Heights FL is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Keystone Heights FL phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Keystone Heights FL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Keystone Heights FL, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Keystone Heights FL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 Florida school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Keystone Heights FL programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Florida? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Keystone Heights FL. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Keystone Heights FL local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Florida 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. As a minimum, any Keystone Heights FL phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Florida programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Keystone Heights FL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer 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 college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Keystone Heights FL medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Keystone Heights FL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Keystone Heights FL

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Keystone Heights FL.

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