Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Bridgewater Virginia

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Bridgewater VA is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Bridgewater VA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Bridgewater VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, 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 certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Bridgewater VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations 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, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bridgewater VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming 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 significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Bridgewater VA schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Bridgewater VA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Bridgewater VA area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Virginia 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 Bridgewater 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 expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? 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 frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Bridgewater VA medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bridgewater VA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate school you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bridgewater VA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Bridgewater VA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing 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 appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bridgewater VA.

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