Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Edgewater Maryland

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Edgewater MD is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important 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 evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening 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. A number of Edgewater MD phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Edgewater MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing 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 each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Edgewater MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Edgewater MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Edgewater MD colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Edgewater MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential 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 investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Edgewater MD local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. 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 total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Edgewater MD phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Maryland colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Edgewater MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Edgewater MD health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Edgewater MD, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Edgewater MD

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Edgewater MD.

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