Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Cumberland VA is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Cumberland VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Cumberland VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. 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 type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Cumberland VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Cumberland VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (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 dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Cumberland VA colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Cumberland VA. 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 many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references 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 also. You can also contact some Cumberland VA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cumberland VA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Cumberland VA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher 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 Cumberland VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cumberland VA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

Select the Best Phlebotomy Program near Cumberland VA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cumberland VA.

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