Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Clarksville Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Clarksville VA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. 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 select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Clarksville VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Clarksville VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Clarksville VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides 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 incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Clarksville VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

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 decided on the type 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 campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Clarksville VA programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Clarksville VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Clarksville VA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Clarksville VA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Virginia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Clarksville VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Clarksville VA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Clarksville VA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy College near Clarksville VA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clarksville VA.

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