Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Dallas Georgia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Dallas GA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Dallas GA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport 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 Dallas GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged 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 practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting 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, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Dallas GA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible 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 carried out either in an approved Dallas GA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Dallas GA schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Dallas GA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Dallas GA local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Dallas GA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Georgia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Dallas GA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Dallas GA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dallas 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 as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist College near Dallas GA

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking 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 training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dallas GA.

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