Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Brentwood Maryland

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Brentwood MD is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually 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 must be correctly completed 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Brentwood MD phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon 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 work places are many and diverse, including Brentwood MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of 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 exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Brentwood MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation 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, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Brentwood MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Brentwood MD programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Brentwood MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Brentwood MD area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Brentwood MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maryland programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Brentwood MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Brentwood MD health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Brentwood MD, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize several ideas about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous variables 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 profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Brentwood MD

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Brentwood MD.

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