Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Shenandoah Virginia

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Shenandoah VA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, most students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes 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 variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Shenandoah VA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Shenandoah VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Shenandoah VA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Shenandoah VA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Virginia school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. 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 Shenandoah VA colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able 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 typically not available for non-accredited programs in Shenandoah VA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references 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 talk to some Shenandoah VA area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Shenandoah VA phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Virginia schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Shenandoah VA medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Shenandoah VA health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Shenandoah VA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare several ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Shenandoah VA

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Shenandoah VA.

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