Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near The Plains Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near The Plains VA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. 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 choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Some The Plains VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including The Plains VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing 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 drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in The Plains VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

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

There are some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved The Plains VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality 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 option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 school is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the The Plains VA schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in The Plains VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with a few The Plains VA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any The Plains VA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Virginia colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local The Plains VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the The Plains VA healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near The Plains VA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near The Plains VA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in The Plains VA.

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