Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Occoquan Virginia

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Occoquan VA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Occoquan VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Occoquan VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Occoquan VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

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

There are several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Occoquan 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-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Occoquan VA colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Occoquan VA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many 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 check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Occoquan VA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out 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 Enough Training Provided? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Occoquan VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Virginia schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Occoquan VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Occoquan VA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Occoquan VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Occoquan VA

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Occoquan VA.

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