Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Hillsville Virginia

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Hillsville VA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 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 an area campus. We’ll review 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 finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Hillsville VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Hillsville VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hillsville VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method 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. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get 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 Hillsville VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

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 may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Hillsville VA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Hillsville VA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’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 in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to a few Hillsville VA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact 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 Hillsville VA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Virginia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Hillsville VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hillsville VA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Hillsville VA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy Course near Hillsville VA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hillsville VA.

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