Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Camp Lejeune North Carolina

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Camp Lejeune NC is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider 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’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Camp Lejeune NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Camp Lejeune NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Camp Lejeune NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Camp Lejeune NC 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Camp Lejeune NC schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Camp Lejeune NC. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Camp Lejeune NC local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Camp Lejeune NC phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the North Carolina programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Camp Lejeune NC health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Camp Lejeune NC health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Camp Lejeune NC, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 policy is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Camp Lejeune NC

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Camp Lejeune NC.

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