Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Duncan South Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Duncan SC is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Duncan SC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Duncan SC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Duncan SC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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 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 offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Duncan SC healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

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 may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the South Carolina college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Duncan SC programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Duncan SC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college 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 phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Duncan SC area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the South Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the South Carolina 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Duncan SC phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the South Carolina colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Duncan SC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job 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 high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Duncan SC medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Duncan SC, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Duncan SC

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Duncan SC.

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