How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Training Course near Gainesville Florida
Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Gainesville FL is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Choose a Career as a Plebotomist?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be comfortable with needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Gainesville FL medical facilities, well this profession may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Gainesville FL laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Gainesville FL medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing
There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most Gainesville FL employers require certification before 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice 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 phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Training
First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many Gainesville FL students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Gainesville FL as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Florida? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Florida or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Gainesville FL job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Gainesville FL hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Florida school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Gainesville FL health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide 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 program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Gainesville FL health care community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Gainesville FL, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
How To Get Phlebotomy License Gainesville FL
Find Phlebotomy Tech Training Near Me Gainesville Florida
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy 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 go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Find Phlebotomy Tech Training Near Me and to get more information regarding Compare Phlebotomy Associates Degrees Near Me. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gainesville FL.
More Florida Bloody Wonderful Locations
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the county seat and largest city in Alachua County, Florida, United States, and the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida, metropolitan statistical area. The US Census Bureau estimated Gainesville's population at 133,857 in 2018,[6] a 7.4% increase from 2010. Gainesville is the largest city in the North Central Florida region. The Gainesville metropolitan statistical area had an estimated population of 288,212 in 2018.[8]
There is archeological evidence, from about 12,000 years ago, of the presence of Paleo Indians in the Gainesville area, although it is not known if there were any permanent settlements.[9] A Deptford culture campsite existed in Gainesville and was estimated to have been used between 500 BCE and 100 CE.[10] The Deptford people moved south into Paynes Prairie and Orange Lake during the first century and evolved in to the Cades Pond culture.[11] The Deptford people who remained in the Gainesville area were displaced by migrants from southern Georgia sometime in the seventh century.[11] These migrants evolved into the Alachua culture and they built their burial mound on top of the Deptford culture campsite.[10] When Europeans made first contact in the area, the Potano lived in the area. They were descendants of the Alachua culture people.[12] European contact diminished the numbers of native peoples (through disease, enslavement, war) and Spanish colonists began cattle ranching in the Paynes Prairie area in the 18th century. The Spanish ceded Florida to the US in 1821.[13]
Gainesville was established in 1853 and named after Edmund P. Gaines.[14][15] The town of Gainesville was incorporated in 1869[16] and chartered as a city in 1907.[17] The University of the State of Florida was moved from Lake City to Gainesville in 1906 and its name was simplified to University of Florida in 1909.[17][18]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 7
5 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
4 Reviews 
5 Reviews 
2 Reviews 
3 Reviews 
28 Reviews 