Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Newark Maryland

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Newark MD is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Newark MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Newark MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Newark MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newark MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium 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 right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Newark MD schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maryland? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Newark MD. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. 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 research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Newark MD area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Newark MD phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maryland schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Newark MD healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Newark MD health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Newark MD, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Newark MD

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Newark MD.

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