Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Edenton North Carolina

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Edenton NC is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Edenton NC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Edenton NC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Edenton NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Edenton 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the North Carolina campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Edenton NC programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination 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 Edenton NC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Edenton NC local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Edenton NC phlebotomy program that you are reviewing 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 may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Edenton NC health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Edenton NC medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Edenton NC, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Program near Edenton NC

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Edenton NC.

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