Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Orangeburg South Carolina

Selecting the right phlebotomist training near Orangeburg SC is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Orangeburg SC phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Orangeburg SC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Orangeburg SC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies include:

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

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Orangeburg 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the South Carolina campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Orangeburg SC programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to South Carolina? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Orangeburg SC. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

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

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Orangeburg SC phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the South Carolina colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Orangeburg SC health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Orangeburg SC health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Orangeburg SC, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Orangeburg SC

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Orangeburg SC.

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