Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Low Moor Virginia

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Low Moor VA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes 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 far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Low Moor VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Low Moor VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, 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 collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. 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 every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Low Moor VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally 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 no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Low Moor VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already chosen 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 significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Low Moor VA programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Low Moor VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Low Moor VA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Low Moor 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 less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Virginia colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Low Moor VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Low Moor VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Low Moor VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Low Moor VA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Low Moor VA.

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