Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Middleburg Virginia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Middleburg VA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. 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 before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Middleburg VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Middleburg VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Middleburg VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Middleburg VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Middleburg VA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Middleburg VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Middleburg VA area clinics or hospitals that you might 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 ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Middleburg VA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Virginia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Middleburg VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college 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 Middleburg VA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Middleburg VA, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Middleburg VA

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Middleburg VA.

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