Picking a Phlebotomist School near New Windsor Maryland

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near New Windsor MD is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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. A number of New Windsor MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as New Windsor 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. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in New Windsor MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved New Windsor 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 component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools 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 phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the New Windsor MD schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maryland? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in New Windsor MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some New Windsor MD area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any New Windsor 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 clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maryland colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local New Windsor MD healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the New Windsor MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near New Windsor MD, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready a number of strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist Course near New Windsor MD

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully research and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Windsor MD.

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