Picking a Phlebotomist School near Bedford Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Bedford VA is an important initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing 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 decision process as well. To assist in that effort, 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 then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Some Bedford VA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Bedford VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Bedford VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bedford VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior 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 ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Bedford VA schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Bedford VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Bedford VA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Bedford VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Bedford VA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Bedford VA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Bedford VA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Bedford VA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bedford VA.

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