Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Collinsville Virginia

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Collinsville VA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Collinsville VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Collinsville VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Collinsville VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations 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 choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Collinsville VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Collinsville VA colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Collinsville VA. Finally, 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 phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact some Collinsville VA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Collinsville VA phlebotomist 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 indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Virginia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Collinsville VA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering provide 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 college has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Collinsville VA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Collinsville VA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Collinsville VA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Collinsville VA.

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