Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Oxon Hill Maryland

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Oxon Hill MD is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 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 an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools 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 including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision 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 select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Oxon Hill MD phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as Oxon Hill MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged 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 specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Oxon Hill MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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 phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Oxon Hill MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Oxon Hill MD programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages 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 sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Oxon Hill MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Oxon Hill MD local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with 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 practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Oxon Hill MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maryland colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Oxon Hill MD health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Oxon Hill MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oxon Hill MD, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary 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 have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist College near Oxon Hill MD

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Oxon Hill MD.

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