Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Reston Virginia

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Reston VA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide 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 cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Reston VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Reston VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific 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 practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Reston VA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Reston VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each 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 need to ask about all of the Reston VA colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need 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 practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Reston VA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Reston VA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out 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 submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Reston 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 clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Virginia programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal 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 Reston VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college 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 large network of professional contacts within the Reston VA health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Reston VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Reston VA

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Reston VA.

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