Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Hagerstown Maryland

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Hagerstown MD is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide 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 conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Hagerstown MD phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Hagerstown MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Hagerstown MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hagerstown MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain 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 receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy 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 making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Hagerstown MD colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Hagerstown MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Hagerstown MD area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing 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 Adequate Training Included? First, check with 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. As a minimum, any Hagerstown MD phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maryland programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Hagerstown MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hagerstown MD health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hagerstown MD, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting 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 as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Hagerstown MD

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hagerstown MD.

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