How to Pick the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Classes near Trenton South Carolina
Picking the right phlebotomy school near Trenton SC is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind 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 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 reviewing to help you choose the best 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 Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic 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 OK around blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Trenton SC medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work around anxious 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, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right profession for you.
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Phlebotomist Career Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Trenton SC labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.
Where are Phlebotomists Employed?
The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Trenton SC medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.
Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means 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. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most Trenton SC employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Phlebotomist Online Classes
To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some Trenton SC students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.
Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools
Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is important if you will be commuting from Trenton SC as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Trenton SC job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Trenton SC hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Trenton SC health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Trenton SC health care community.
Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Trenton SC, make sure they are offered 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.
What Is Phlebotomy Training Trenton SC
How to Enroll in Drawing Blood Training Trenton South Carolina
Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How to Enroll in Drawing Blood Training and to get more information regarding Online Phlebotomy Tech Associates Degrees. However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Trenton SC.
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Trenton, South Carolina
Trenton is located in eastern Edgefield County at 33°44′23″N 81°50′25″W / 33.73972°N 81.84028°W / 33.73972; -81.84028 (33.739721, -81.840208).[7]South Carolina Highway 121 passes through the western side of the town, intersecting U.S. Route 25 at the southwest corner of the town. US 25 leads northwest 6 miles (10 km) to Edgefield, the county seat, and southwest 20 miles (32 km) to Augusta, Georgia, while SC 121 leads northeast 8 miles (13 km) to Johnston.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 226 people, 103 households, and 67 families residing in the town. The population density was 173.9 people per square mile (67.1/km²). There were 115 housing units at an average density of 88.5 per square mile (34.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 69.47% White and 30.53% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.
There were 103 households out of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.69.
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