Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Clifton Forge Virginia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Clifton Forge VA is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Clifton Forge VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Clifton Forge VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting 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 range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Clifton Forge VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 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. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Clifton Forge VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Clifton Forge VA colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Clifton Forge VA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Clifton Forge VA local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Clifton Forge VA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Virginia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Clifton Forge VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Clifton Forge VA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Clifton Forge VA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Clifton Forge VA

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Clifton Forge VA.

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