Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Catonsville Maryland

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Catonsville MD is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing 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, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact 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 needs to be accurately 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 Catonsville MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Catonsville MD hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Catonsville MD, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Catonsville MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program 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 premium 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 option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 Maryland school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Catonsville MD schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, 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 obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Catonsville MD. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Catonsville MD area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Maryland regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Catonsville MD phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Maryland programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Catonsville MD health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Catonsville MD health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Catonsville MD, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Catonsville MD

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Catonsville MD.

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