Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Hardwick Georgia

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Hardwick GA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Hardwick GA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Hardwick GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Hardwick GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Hardwick GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Hardwick GA colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Hardwick GA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Hardwick GA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hardwick GA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Hardwick GA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot 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 school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hardwick GA medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hardwick GA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near Hardwick GA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hardwick GA.

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