Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Westover Maryland

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Westover MD is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first 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 review 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 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 supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Westover MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Westover MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Westover MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Westover MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type 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 relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Westover MD colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Westover MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential 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 solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Westover MD local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? 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 Westover MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maryland colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Westover MD healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Westover MD healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Westover MD, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Westover MD

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Westover MD.

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