Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Chantilly Virginia

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Chantilly VA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Chantilly VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Chantilly VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working 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. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Chantilly VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route 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 phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available 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 get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Chantilly VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 Virginia college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Chantilly VA programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select 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 school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Chantilly VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Chantilly VA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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. At a minimum, any Chantilly VA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Chantilly VA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Chantilly VA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Chantilly VA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And 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 policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist College near Chantilly VA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Chantilly VA.

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