Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Asheville North Carolina

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Asheville NC is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Asheville NC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Asheville NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Asheville NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Asheville NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Asheville NC schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Asheville NC. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Asheville NC area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Asheville NC phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the North Carolina schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Asheville NC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position 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 percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Asheville NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Asheville NC, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Asheville NC

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Asheville NC.

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