Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Catawba North Carolina

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Catawba NC is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider 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 far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should 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 ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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. A number of Catawba NC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Catawba NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Catawba NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Catawba NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Catawba NC programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Catawba NC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Catawba NC area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, 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 Catawba NC phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the North Carolina programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Catawba NC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Catawba NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Catawba NC, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Catawba NC

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Catawba NC.

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