Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Polkton North Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Polkton NC is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually 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. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Polkton NC phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Polkton NC hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Polkton NC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Polkton 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 portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type 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 school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Polkton NC schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, 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 premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Polkton NC. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some 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 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 solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Polkton NC area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the North Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the North Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Polkton NC phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the North Carolina colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Polkton NC health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at 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 school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Polkton NC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Polkton NC, make sure they are available at those times. Also, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Polkton NC

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Polkton NC.

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