Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Ona West Virginia
Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Ona WV is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.
Phlebotomist Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Ona WV phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?
The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Ona WV hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns 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 on a daily basis.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification
There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ona WV, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as 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 specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification prior to practicing 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 supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.
Phlebotomy Online Colleges
First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Ona WV healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs
Since you now 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 chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the West Virginia school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Ona WV schools you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for West Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.
Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Ona WV. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.
What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Ona WV local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the West Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.
Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the West Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Ona WV phlebotomy program that you are reviewing 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 adequate training.
Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the West Virginia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Ona WV medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.
Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Ona WV healthcare community.
Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Ona WV, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed 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 Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Course near Ona WV
Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Ona WV.
Learn About Ona West Virginia
Ona, West Virginia
Ona is a small unincorporated community along US 60 (the old Midland Trail) in Cabell County, West Virginia. It is situated roughly halfway between the towns of Barboursville to the west and Milton to the east.
Ona is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 287,702. New definitions from February 28, 2013 placed the population at 363,000.[3]
Ona is home to three notable places. The first is Cabell Midland High School, which is the consolidated regional secondary school for students living in the eastern half of Cabell County. This is a rather large high school of modern construction, with extensive athletic facilities. The student population varies from 1,500 to 2,000 students.
A second landmark is the Ona Speedway. This is a prime location for local stock-car racing competitions. The track has had its share of financial difficulties and has been closed several times in prior years. It has, however, been operating continuously since 2006. The last time NASCAR held a Cup level race on a Tuesday was Aug. 11, 1970, when Richard Petty won the West Virginia 300 in Ona.[4]
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