Picking a Phlebotomy School near Piedmont Alabama
Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Piedmont AL is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.
Phlebotomist Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. 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. A number of Piedmont AL phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Piedmont AL hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing
There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Piedmont AL, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four 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 required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomist Online Colleges
First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Piedmont AL healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.
Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked 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 Alabama school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Piedmont AL schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.
Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Alabama? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Alabama or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 in addition to a guarantee 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. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Piedmont AL. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.
What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Piedmont AL area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Alabama school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Alabama regulator or 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 Piedmont AL phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.
Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Alabama programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Piedmont AL healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Piedmont AL healthcare community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Piedmont AL, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.
Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.
Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Piedmont AL
Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Piedmont AL.
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