Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Pembroke Georgia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Pembroke GA is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Pembroke GA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Pembroke GA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Pembroke GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Pembroke GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Georgia school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Pembroke GA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several 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 phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Pembroke GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. 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 internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Pembroke GA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Georgia 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. As a minimum, any Pembroke GA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 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 comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Georgia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Pembroke GA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide 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 a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Pembroke GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pembroke GA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Pembroke GA

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Pembroke GA.

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