Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Bluefield West Virginia

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Bluefield WV is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection 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 pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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. Many Bluefield WV phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Bluefield WV medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Bluefield WV, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 a few states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bluefield WV healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the West Virginia campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Bluefield WV colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to West Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for West Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Bluefield WV. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential 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 along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Bluefield WV local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the West Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the West Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Bluefield WV phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the West Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Bluefield WV healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Bluefield WV medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bluefield WV, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude 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 exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist College near Bluefield WV

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bluefield WV.

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