Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Cheltenham Maryland

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Cheltenham MD is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important 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 factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must 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 lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Cheltenham MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Cheltenham MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Cheltenham MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cheltenham 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-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. 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 receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Cheltenham MD schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected 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 aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Cheltenham MD. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of 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 important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Cheltenham MD area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, contact the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cheltenham MD phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? 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 means to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Cheltenham MD healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cheltenham MD health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Cheltenham MD, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Program near Cheltenham MD

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cheltenham MD.

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