Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Gordonsville Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Gordonsville VA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Gordonsville VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Gordonsville VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Gordonsville VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Gordonsville VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Gordonsville VA colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, 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 financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Gordonsville VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Gordonsville VA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing 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 Adequate Training Provided? First, check with 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. At a minimum, any Gordonsville VA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Virginia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Gordonsville VA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school 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 as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Gordonsville VA medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Gordonsville VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Gordonsville VA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college prior to 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 pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gordonsville VA.

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