Picking a Phlebotomist School near Cambridge Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Cambridge MD is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider 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 far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Cambridge MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Cambridge MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Cambridge MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cambridge MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Cambridge MD schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cambridge MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place 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 also. You can even contact some Cambridge MD area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Cambridge MD phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Maryland schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal 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 Cambridge MD healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cambridge MD health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cambridge MD, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Cambridge MD

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cambridge MD.

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