Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Silver Spring Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Silver Spring MD is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must 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 evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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 Silver Spring MD phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Silver Spring MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Silver Spring MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Silver Spring 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-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Silver Spring MD colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs in Silver Spring MD. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 some Silver Spring MD local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Silver Spring MD phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maryland schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Silver Spring MD health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing 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 rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Silver Spring MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Silver Spring MD, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Silver Spring MD

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Silver Spring MD.

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