Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Great Falls Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Great Falls VA is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right 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 Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Great Falls VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Great Falls VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Great Falls VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive 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, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Great Falls 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might 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 college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Great Falls VA colleges you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination 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 schools in Great Falls VA. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Great Falls VA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Great Falls VA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Great Falls VA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Great Falls VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Great Falls VA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Great Falls VA

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Great Falls VA.

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