Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Statesville North Carolina

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Statesville NC is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools 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 in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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. A number of Statesville NC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Statesville NC hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Statesville NC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Statesville NC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Statesville NC programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Statesville NC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Statesville NC local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask 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 complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Statesville NC phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the North Carolina schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Statesville NC healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Statesville NC health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Statesville NC, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Statesville NC

Making certain that you pick the most suitable 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 contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Statesville NC.

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