How to Pick the Best Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Roanoke Rapids North Carolina

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Roanoke Rapids NC is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another 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’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to 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 evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

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Should You Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. 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 Roanoke Rapids NC medical environments, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work around nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, 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 helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Roanoke Rapids NC laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Roanoke Rapids NC hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with 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 provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of Roanoke Rapids NC employers look for certification prior to employing 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some Roanoke Rapids NC students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from Roanoke Rapids NC in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to North Carolina? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Roanoke Rapids NC job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any 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 assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Roanoke Rapids NC clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Roanoke Rapids NC medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing 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 positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Roanoke Rapids NC health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Roanoke Rapids NC, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

US Colleges Phlebotomy Roanoke Rapids NC

How Much Is Phlebotomy School Roanoke Rapids North Carolina

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Much Is Phlebotomy School and to get more information regarding Find Phlebotomist Colleges.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Roanoke Rapids NC.

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