Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Charleston South Carolina

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Charleston SC is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover 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. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of Charleston SC phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Charleston SC hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working 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 new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Charleston SC, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Charleston SC 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the South Carolina campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Charleston SC schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

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

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Charleston SC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential 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 some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Charleston SC area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with the South Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Charleston SC phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the South Carolina schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Charleston SC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Charleston SC health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Charleston SC, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Charleston SC

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Charleston SC.

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