Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lewisville North Carolina

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Lewisville NC is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lewisville NC phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Lewisville NC hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lewisville NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lewisville NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

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 might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the North Carolina campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Lewisville NC programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lewisville NC. Last, 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 numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Lewisville NC area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. 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 Ample Training Included? To begin with, 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 Lewisville NC phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the North Carolina programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lewisville NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Lewisville NC medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lewisville NC, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Lewisville NC

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available 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 can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lewisville NC.

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