Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Harrisonburg Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Harrisonburg VA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot 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 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 assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Harrisonburg VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Harrisonburg VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Harrisonburg VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including 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 supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Harrisonburg VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you 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 picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Harrisonburg VA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Harrisonburg 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 School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Harrisonburg VA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Harrisonburg VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Harrisonburg VA 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 assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Harrisonburg VA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Harrisonburg VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Harrisonburg VA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. 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 can be found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harrisonburg VA.

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