Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Fredericksburg Virginia

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Fredericksburg VA is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out 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 too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Fredericksburg VA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Fredericksburg VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Fredericksburg VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education together 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 include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Fredericksburg 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Fredericksburg VA programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Fredericksburg VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Fredericksburg VA local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Fredericksburg VA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Virginia programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Fredericksburg VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority 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 Fredericksburg VA health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Fredericksburg VA, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Course near Fredericksburg VA

Making certain that you select the ideal 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 a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Fredericksburg VA.

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