Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Hartwood VA is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, 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 best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Hartwood VA phlebotomists actually 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 drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Hartwood VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hartwood VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hartwood VA 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Hartwood VA programs you are considering before 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 mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Hartwood VA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Hartwood VA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Hartwood VA phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide 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 expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Virginia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Hartwood VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Hartwood VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hartwood VA, check that 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 attend 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 Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

Find the Right Phlebotomy College near Hartwood VA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hartwood VA.

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