Picking a Phlebotomy School near Cascade Maryland

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near Cascade MD is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should 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 assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Cascade MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Cascade MD hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Cascade MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route 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 phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 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. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Cascade MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Cascade MD schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maryland? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cascade MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective 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 some 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 begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer 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 also. You can even talk to several Cascade MD area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Maryland regulator or 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 Cascade MD phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Maryland schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Cascade MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cascade MD medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cascade MD, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover 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 your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Cascade MD

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cascade MD.

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