Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Dalton Georgia

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Dalton GA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Dalton GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Dalton GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Dalton GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Dalton GA 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Dalton GA colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Dalton GA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Dalton GA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Georgia 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Dalton GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Georgia schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Dalton GA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dalton GA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Dalton GA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Dalton GA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dalton GA.

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