Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Dunkirk Maryland

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Dunkirk MD is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest 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 furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Dunkirk MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Dunkirk MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Dunkirk MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 several 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 essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Dunkirk MD 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it might 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, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maryland school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Dunkirk MD colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Dunkirk MD. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Dunkirk MD local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Maryland 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. At a minimum, any Dunkirk MD phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Maryland colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Dunkirk MD medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority 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 Dunkirk MD healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Dunkirk MD, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot 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 discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Dunkirk MD

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Dunkirk MD.

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