Phlebotomy Training Schools near District Heights MD 20747

Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near District Heights Maryland

District Heights MD phlebotomist taking blood sampleChoosing the right phlebotomist school near District Heights MD is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

District Heights MD phlebotomist testing blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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. A number of District Heights MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance 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 easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as District Heights MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

District Heights MD phlebotomist holding blood sampleThere are basically two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in District Heights MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

attending phlebotomy training online in District Heights MDTo start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved District Heights 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-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional 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 dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the District Heights MD schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in District Heights MD. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some District Heights MD local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any District Heights MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 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 provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maryland colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local District Heights MD healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the District Heights MD healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near District Heights MD, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near District Heights MD

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each school 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 select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in District Heights MD.

Learn About District Heights Maryland

District Heights, Maryland

District Heights is an incorporated city in Prince George's County, Maryland, located near Maryland Route 4.[5] The population was 5,837 at the 2010 United States Census. For more information, see the separate articles on Forestville, Maryland and Suitland.

District Heights is 9.85 miles (15.85 km) away from central Washington, D.C.

District Heights is located at 38°51′34″N 76°53′21″W / 38.85944°N 76.88917°W / 38.85944; -76.88917 (38.859545, −76.889139).[6]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.41 km2), all of it land.[2]

 

 

The location could not be found.

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