Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Ware Shoals South Carolina

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Ware Shoals SC is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind 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 significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Ware Shoals SC phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Ware Shoals SC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Ware Shoals SC, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ware Shoals 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-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind 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 school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Ware Shoals SC schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy 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 requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets 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 school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Ware Shoals SC. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable 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 phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Ware Shoals SC area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the South Carolina regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Ware Shoals 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 below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the South Carolina colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Ware Shoals SC health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help 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 college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Ware Shoals SC health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ware Shoals SC, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Ware Shoals SC

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ware Shoals SC.

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