Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Springfield Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Springfield VA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Springfield VA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Springfield VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly 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 environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Springfield VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with 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 phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Springfield VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects 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 might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Springfield VA schools you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Springfield VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Springfield VA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest 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 find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Springfield VA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Virginia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Springfield VA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Springfield VA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Springfield VA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Springfield VA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Springfield VA.

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