Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Davidsonville Maryland

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Davidsonville MD is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Davidsonville MD phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Davidsonville MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Davidsonville MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means 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 take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Davidsonville MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Davidsonville MD schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and preps 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 reputable national or regional accrediting organization, 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 quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Davidsonville MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Davidsonville MD area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Davidsonville MD phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Maryland schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Davidsonville MD medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Davidsonville MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Davidsonville MD, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Davidsonville MD

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Davidsonville MD.

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