Selecting a Phlebotomy School near South Point Ohio

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near South Point OH is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online 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 much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. 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 pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of South Point OH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as South Point OH medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in South Point OH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers 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 provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved South Point OH 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in 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 disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Ohio college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the South Point OH programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Ohio? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Ohio or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized 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 aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in South Point OH. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several South Point OH area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Ohio school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the Ohio regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any South Point OH phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Ohio programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local South Point OH medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the South Point OH health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near South Point OH, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy School near South Point OH

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Point OH.

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