Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Lexington Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Lexington VA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far 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 need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Lexington VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Lexington VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Lexington VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Lexington VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 Virginia school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each 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. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Lexington VA programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Lexington VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Lexington VA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Virginia 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. As a minimum, any Lexington VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Virginia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Lexington VA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school 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 together with a large network of professional contacts within the Lexington VA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lexington VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Program near Lexington VA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available 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. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before 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 select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lexington VA.

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