Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Shelby North Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician training near Shelby NC is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, most potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Shelby NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Shelby NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Shelby NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shelby NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national 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 degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Shelby NC schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Shelby NC. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Shelby NC local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Shelby NC phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the North Carolina programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Shelby NC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Shelby NC medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Shelby NC, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Shelby NC

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Shelby NC.

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