Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Summerland Key Florida
Picking the right phlebotomy training near Summerland Key FL is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.
Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Summerland Key FL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Summerland Key FL hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Summerland Key FL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.
Online Phlebotomist Schools
First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Summerland Key FL 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Florida college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Summerland Key FL programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Summerland Key FL. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Summerland Key FL area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the Florida regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Summerland Key FL phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Find out from the Florida programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Summerland Key FL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Summerland Key FL healthcare community.
Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Summerland Key FL, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Summerland Key FL
Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Summerland Key FL.
Learn About Summerland Key Florida
Summerland Key
Summerland Key is an island in the lower Florida Keys[1] approximately 20 miles east of Key West; it contains an unincorporated community of Monroe County of the same name.
U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway) crosses the island at approximately mile markers 24—25.5, between Ramrod Key and Cudjoe Key. The name appears on U.S. Coast Survey chart #169 in 1878.
Summerland Key is a bedroom community located almost midway between the larger communities of Marathon and Key West.
It is home to the Brinton Environmental Center of the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base and is a field station for Mote Marine Laboratory. A private, 2550-foot community airstrip (FD51) is located just south of the Overseas Highway on West Shore Drive at mile marker 25.
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