How to Pick the Best Phlebotomist Training Program near Georgetown California
Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Georgetown CA is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. 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 right 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.
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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Georgetown CA medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work around nervous people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.
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Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Georgetown CA laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest 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 Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Georgetown CA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most Georgetown CA employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:
- National Phlebotomy Association
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
- American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
- American Medical Technologists (AMT)
There are some 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 examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees
First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out 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 Georgetown CA students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). 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 learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Georgetown CA in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for California or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Georgetown CA job market.
What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Georgetown CA clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the California school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Georgetown CA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide 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 as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Georgetown CA health care community.
Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Georgetown CA, make certain 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. Even 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 have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.
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Evening Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me Georgetown California
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Evening Phlebotomy Technician Classes Near Me and to get more information regarding Part Time Drawing Blood Education Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right phlebotomist college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Georgetown CA.
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Georgetown, California
Georgetown (formerly Growlersburg)[3] is a census-designated place (CDP) in El Dorado County, California. It is the northeastern-most town in the California Mother Lode.[4] The population was 2,367 at the 2010 census, up from 962 in 2000. The town is registered as California Historical Landmark #484.[5]
Founded August 7, 1849, by George Phipps and party, Georgetown was nicknamed "Growlersburg" due to the heavy, gold-laden quartz rocks that "growled" in the miners' pants as they walked around town. Georgetown is named for George Phipps.[6] The first post office was established in 1851.[3] After a disastrous fire in 1852, the old town was moved from the canyon in lower Main Street to its present site, and, unique in early-day planning, Main Street was laid out 100 feet (30 m) wide, with side streets 60 feet (18 m). After this new reconstruction, the residents of the city proclaimed their town as the "Pride of the Mountains". The hub of an immensely rich gold mining area, Georgetown had a population of about three thousand from 1854 to 1856. As a gold rush camp, the community outlasted many other towns, because the gold found nearby was solid primary deposits, as opposed to placer deposits. Gold production continued until after the turn of the 20th century.[4]
The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Georgetown had a population of 2,367. The population density was 156.4 people per square mile (60.4/km²). The racial makeup of Georgetown was 2,128 (89.9%) White, 47 (2.0%) African American, 59 (2.5%) Native American, 18 (0.8%) Asian, 2 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 45 (1.9%) from other races, and 68 (2.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 177 persons (7.5%).
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