Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Columbia North Carolina

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Columbia NC is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember 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 important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Columbia NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Columbia NC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Columbia NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. 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 superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Columbia NC 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 portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Columbia NC schools you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to North Carolina? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Columbia NC. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Columbia NC area hospitals or clinics that you might 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 grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the North Carolina 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Columbia NC phlebotomy 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 below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the North Carolina programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Columbia NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Columbia NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Columbia NC, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Columbia NC

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Columbia NC.

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