Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Chatham Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Chatham VA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into 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 keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to 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 pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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. A number of Chatham VA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Chatham VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Chatham VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain 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 Chatham VA 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 can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Chatham VA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program 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 in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Chatham VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Chatham VA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Chatham VA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Chatham VA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools 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 an extensive network of professional contacts within the Chatham VA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Chatham VA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure 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 as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Chatham VA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential 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 offered in a number of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Chatham VA.

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