How to Choose the Best Phlebotomy Tech School near Holly Hill South Carolina
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Holly Hill SC is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation 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 evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.
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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
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 go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Holly Hill SC medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and 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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Phlebotomist Work Summary
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Holly Hill SC laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?
The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Holly Hill SC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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 exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.
Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification
There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of Holly Hill SC employers require certification before 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Schools
To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some Holly Hill SC students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.
Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Holly Hill SC as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are looking at before making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to South Carolina? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Holly Hill SC job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Holly Hill SC hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.
Are Internships Included? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Holly Hill SC healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Holly Hill SC medical community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Holly Hill SC, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even 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 in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
Weekend Phlebotomy Classes Holly Hill SC
Compare Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Holly Hill South Carolina
Making sure that you choose the most suitable 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 contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Compare Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees and to get more information regarding How to Enroll in Drawing Blood Training Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Holly Hill SC.
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Holly Hill, South Carolina
Holly Hill is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,277 at the 2010 census. Prior to 1910 it was located in the northwest portion of Saint James Goose Creek Township, Berkeley County.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,281 people, 502 households, and 359 families residing in the town. The population density was 950.7 people per square mile (366.4/km²). There were 575 housing units at an average density of 426.7 per square mile (164.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 48.95% White, 50.04% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.08% Asian, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 502 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 18.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.05.
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