Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Afton Virginia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Afton VA is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Afton VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Afton VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Afton VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Afton VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. 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. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Afton VA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as 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 qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Afton VA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Afton VA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Afton VA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Afton VA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Afton VA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Afton VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain 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 include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Afton VA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Afton VA.

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