Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Randallstown Maryland

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Randallstown MD is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Randallstown MD phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Randallstown MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Randallstown MD, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Randallstown 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. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy 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 receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start 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 mentioned earlier, the location of the Maryland campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Randallstown MD programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium 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 earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Randallstown MD. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Randallstown MD area hospitals or clinics 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 Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Randallstown MD phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Maryland programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Randallstown MD health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position 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 college 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 an extensive network of professional contacts within the Randallstown MD health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Randallstown MD, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must ready some approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist Course near Randallstown MD

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Randallstown MD.

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