Picking a Phlebotomy School near Knoxville Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Knoxville MD is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing 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. A number of Knoxville MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Knoxville MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Knoxville MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require 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 call for certification in order to practice 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 enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Knoxville 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. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Knoxville MD programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Knoxville MD. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact several Knoxville MD area 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 check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Knoxville MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Maryland programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Knoxville MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Knoxville MD medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Knoxville MD, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Knoxville MD

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential 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 quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Knoxville MD.

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