Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician School near Galax Virginia

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Galax VA is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality 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. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select 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 training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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 Galax VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Galax VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Galax VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. 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 performed either in an approved Galax VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Galax VA schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Galax VA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 also talk to some Galax VA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Galax VA phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Galax VA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Galax VA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Galax VA, check that they are available at those times. Also, 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 in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to address them. Because there are numerous 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 profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Galax VA

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety 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. Course offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Galax VA.

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