Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Gainesville Georgia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Gainesville GA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. 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 pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Gainesville GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Gainesville GA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Gainesville GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Gainesville 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-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Gainesville GA programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Gainesville GA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any 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 placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Gainesville GA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Gainesville GA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Georgia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Gainesville GA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Gainesville GA health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Gainesville GA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Course near Gainesville GA

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to 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 ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Gainesville GA.

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