Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Fairhope Alabama

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Fairhope AL is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must 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 lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Fairhope AL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Fairhope AL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind 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 practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Fairhope AL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Fairhope AL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Alabama campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Fairhope AL programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, 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 amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of 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 sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Fairhope AL. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Fairhope AL area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Alabama school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Alabama regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Fairhope AL phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Alabama schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Fairhope AL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Fairhope AL healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Fairhope AL, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Fairhope AL

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Fairhope AL.

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