Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Fieldale Virginia

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Fieldale VA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must 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 pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Fieldale VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Fieldale VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Fieldale VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Fieldale 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (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 study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure 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 each of the Fieldale VA schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Fieldale VA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any 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 screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with some Fieldale VA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Fieldale VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Virginia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Fieldale VA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges 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 jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Fieldale VA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Fieldale VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Fieldale VA

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Fieldale VA.

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