Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Colonial Heights Virginia

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Colonial Heights VA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time 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 Colonial Heights VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Colonial Heights VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, 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 drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Colonial Heights VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Colonial Heights VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Colonial Heights VA programs you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Colonial Heights VA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Colonial Heights VA local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Colonial Heights VA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Virginia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Colonial Heights VA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Colonial Heights VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Colonial Heights VA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Colonial Heights VA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Colonial Heights VA.

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