How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Training Program near Robersonville North Carolina

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Robersonville NC is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Plebotomist?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Robersonville NC medical facilities, well this job may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work with nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, 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 Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Robersonville NC labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Robersonville NC hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most Robersonville NC employers require 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some Robersonville NC students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Robersonville NC as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for North Carolina or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Robersonville NC job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. 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 research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Robersonville NC hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the North Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Robersonville NC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Robersonville NC healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Robersonville NC, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

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Learn To Draw Blood Robersonville North Carolina

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Learn To Draw Blood and to get more information regarding Find Phlebotomist Courses.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Robersonville NC.

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