Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Greenville South Carolina

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Greenville SC is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Greenville SC phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Greenville SC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Greenville SC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Greenville SC 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could 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, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the South Carolina school is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Greenville SC schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Greenville SC. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Greenville SC local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Greenville SC phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the South Carolina schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Greenville SC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Greenville SC healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Greenville SC, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Greenville SC

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Greenville SC.

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