South Carolina Archives - Train to Become a Phlebotomist

Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Ridgeland South Carolina

Ridgeland SC phlebotomist taking blood sample Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Ridgeland SC is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to researching phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are researching to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

Ridgeland SC phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Ridgeland SC area labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

Ridgeland SC diagnostic lab blood analysis The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Ridgeland SC medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

Ridgeland SC phlebotomy lab There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Ridgeland SC community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Ridgeland SC employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Ridgeland SC First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some Ridgeland SC students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might 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 college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Ridgeland SC colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for South Carolina or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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. First, 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 securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Ridgeland SC job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Ridgeland SC hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the South Carolina school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the Ridgeland SC training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Ridgeland SC health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Ridgeland health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Ridgeland SC health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ridgeland SC, check that they are available at those times. Also, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Ridgeland SC?

Ridgeland, South Carolina

Ridgeland is a town in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,036 at the 2010 census, a 60% increase from 2000. It has been the county seat of Jasper County[3] since its formation in 1912. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Ridgeland is included within the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Ridgeland was originally known as Gopher Hill in 1894, derived from the "gopher tortoise," which is indigenous to the area but that name was not considered good enough for a new railroad station so it was changed to Ridgeland in 1902 for the fact the town stands upon the highest hill between Charleston and Savannah.[4]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,518 people (2,612 in 2004 estimate), 517 households, and 332 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,046.6 people per square mile (403.4/km²). There were 597 housing units at an average density of 248.1 per square mile (95.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 44.64% White, 49.17% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 4.69% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.63% of the population.

There were 517 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 29.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% 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 3.02.

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Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Ridgeland SC

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ridgeland SC.