Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Varney West Virginia

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Varney WV is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must 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 reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Varney WV phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Varney WV medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Varney WV, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Varney WV healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the West Virginia school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Varney WV programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for West Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Varney WV. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 research online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Varney WV area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the West Virginia school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the West 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 Varney WV phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 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 expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the West Virginia colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Varney WV healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Varney WV healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Varney WV, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical 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 need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should ready several strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Varney WV

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Varney WV.

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