Picking a Phlebotomy School near Suffolk Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Suffolk VA is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most potential students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right 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 Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Suffolk VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Suffolk 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 infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Suffolk VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically 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 quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the key 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, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality 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 dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Suffolk 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-practical component of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Suffolk VA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Suffolk VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Suffolk VA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances 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 find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Suffolk 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 signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Suffolk VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Suffolk VA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Suffolk VA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety 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 ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy School near Suffolk VA

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Suffolk VA.

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