Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Martinsville Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist school near Martinsville VA is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Martinsville VA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Martinsville VA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Martinsville VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Martinsville VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality 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 best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Virginia college is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Martinsville VA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Martinsville VA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Martinsville VA local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Martinsville VA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing 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 Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Virginia colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Martinsville VA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher 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 Martinsville VA healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Martinsville VA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Martinsville VA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare 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 can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Martinsville VA.

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