Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Hopewell Virginia

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Hopewell VA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must 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 best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Hopewell VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Hopewell VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Hopewell VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Hopewell 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Hopewell VA schools you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality 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 agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Hopewell VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Hopewell VA area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hopewell VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Virginia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Hopewell VA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hopewell VA healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Hopewell VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Hopewell VA

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number 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. Course offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hopewell VA.

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