Picking a Phlebotomy School near Covington Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Covington VA is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Covington VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Covington VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Covington VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Covington 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Covington VA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps 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 recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Covington VA. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Covington VA area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Covington VA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Virginia schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Covington VA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Covington VA medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Covington VA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. 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 policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Covington VA

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Covington VA.

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