Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Columbia Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Columbia MD is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick 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 training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 Columbia MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Columbia MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Columbia MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under 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 phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Columbia 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 prior to graduation. 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 additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online 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. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Columbia MD colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality 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 previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Columbia MD. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Columbia MD area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Columbia MD 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Maryland programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Columbia MD healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Columbia MD health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Columbia MD, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Columbia MD

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Columbia MD.

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