Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Hartselle Alabama

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Hartselle AL is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each 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 superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Hartselle AL phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Hartselle AL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Hartselle AL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hartselle AL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Alabama college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Hartselle AL colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Alabama? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Hartselle AL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’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 along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Hartselle AL area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Alabama school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Alabama 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Hartselle AL phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Alabama schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Hartselle AL medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher 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 Hartselle AL health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hartselle AL, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Hartselle AL

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Hartselle AL.

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