Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Athens Ohio

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Athens OH is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Athens OH phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Athens OH medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Athens OH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a basic 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 phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Athens OH 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-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select 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 quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 chosen 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 Ohio campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Athens OH schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Athens OH. 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 Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Athens OH local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Ohio school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Ohio 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Athens OH phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Ohio colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Athens OH healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position 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 high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Athens OH healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Athens OH, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study 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 Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Athens OH

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Athens OH.

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