How to Find the Best Phlebotomy Tech Training Classes near Lilburn Georgia
Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Lilburn GA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain 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 cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.
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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?
First of all, 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 chooses this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Lilburn GA medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work around anxious people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the perfect profession for you.
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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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. Some phlebotomists actually work in Lilburn GA laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomists Work?
The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Lilburn GA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.
Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most Lilburn GA employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomist Colleges
To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some Lilburn GA students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.
What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges
Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Lilburn GA in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Georgia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Georgia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized 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 aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Lilburn GA job market.
What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Lilburn GA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Georgia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Adequate Training Included? First, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any 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 may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Find out from the programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lilburn GA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Lilburn GA healthcare community.
Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lilburn GA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study 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 need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.
Become A Certified Phlebotomist Lilburn GA
Accredited Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me Lilburn Georgia
Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Accredited Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me and to get more information regarding 4 Week Drawing Blood Courses Near Me. However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lilburn GA.
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Lilburn, Georgia
Lilburn is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States. The population was 11,596 at the 2010 census.[3] The estimated population was 12,655 in 2015.[4] It is a developed suburb of Atlanta and a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Lilburn is located in western Gwinnett County at 33°53′20″N 84°8′27″W / 33.88889°N 84.14083°W / 33.88889; -84.14083 (33.888853, -84.140897).[5]U.S. Route 29 (Lawrenceville Highway) passes through the center of town, leading southwest 19 miles (31 km) to downtown Atlanta and northeast 11 miles (18 km) to Lawrenceville, the Gwinnett County seat.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Lilburn has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.5 km2), of which 6.3 square miles (16.4 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.82%, is water.[3]
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