Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Marlinton West Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Marlinton WV is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Marlinton WV phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control 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 Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Marlinton WV medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, 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 collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Marlinton WV, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers 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 incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Marlinton WV 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 component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school 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 superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the West Virginia college is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Marlinton WV schools you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for West Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Marlinton WV. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Marlinton WV area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing 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 total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the West Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Marlinton WV phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the West Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Marlinton WV healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Marlinton WV healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Marlinton WV, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Marlinton WV

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Marlinton WV.

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