Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Frederick Maryland

Picking the right phlebotomy training near Frederick MD is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Frederick MD phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Frederick MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Frederick MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. 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 furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few 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 imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Frederick MD healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. 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 Frederick MD programs you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages 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 qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Frederick MD. 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 College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Frederick MD area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with 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 Frederick MD phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maryland programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Frederick MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Frederick MD healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Frederick MD, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Frederick MD

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Frederick MD.

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