Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Parkersburg West Virginia

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Parkersburg WV is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may look into 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 locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Parkersburg WV phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Parkersburg WV hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Parkersburg WV, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available 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 provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Parkersburg WV healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (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 attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the West Virginia campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Parkersburg WV schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to West Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for West Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Parkersburg WV. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement 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 Parkersburg WV local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the West Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the West Virginia regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Parkersburg WV phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the West Virginia programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Parkersburg WV healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Parkersburg WV health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Parkersburg WV, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 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 emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Considering there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Parkersburg WV

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Parkersburg WV.

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