Picking a Phlebotomist School near Richlands Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Richlands VA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. 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 ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far 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. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Richlands VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Richlands VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples 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 two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Richlands VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Richlands VA 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. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Richlands VA schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Richlands VA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Richlands VA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Richlands VA phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Virginia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Richlands VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Richlands VA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Richlands VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Richlands VA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Richlands VA.

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