Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Riverdale Georgia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Riverdale GA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Riverdale GA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Riverdale GA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind 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 drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Riverdale GA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Riverdale 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-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Georgia campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Riverdale GA programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist 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 a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Riverdale GA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Riverdale GA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Georgia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Riverdale GA 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 indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Georgia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Riverdale GA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Riverdale GA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Riverdale GA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Riverdale GA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Riverdale GA.

Learn About Riverdale Georgia

 

 

More Interesting Georgia Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Union City GA 30291

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ochlocknee GA 31773

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Hahira GA 31632

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Preston GA 31824

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Duluth GA 30026

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Fayetteville GA 30214

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mcdonough GA 30252

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Dillard GA 30537

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Jenkinsburg GA 30234

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Meansville GA 30256