Choosing a Phlebotomy School near North East Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near North East MD is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider 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 much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many North East MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as North East MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in North East MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. 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 prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved North East 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. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the North East MD programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist 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 phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in North East MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several North East MD local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any North East MD phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Maryland schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local North East MD health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the North East MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near North East MD, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to 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 additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist School near North East MD

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in North East MD.

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