Phlebotomy School Near Me Bethlehem MD

How to Choose the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Bethlehem Maryland

Bethlehem MD phlebotomist drawing blood from patientPicking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Bethlehem MD is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?

blood analysis performed in Bethlehem MD labFirst of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The short definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Bethlehem MD medical environments, well this job may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

Bethlehem MD phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Bethlehem MD laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Bethlehem MD medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

Bethlehem MD phlebotomy tech drawing bloodThere are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most Bethlehem MD employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

Bethlehem MD student attending online phlebotomy classesTo start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many Bethlehem MD students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

What to ask Bethlehem MD phlebotomy schoolsNow that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Bethlehem MD in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maryland? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Bethlehem MD job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact several Bethlehem MD hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any 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 might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Bethlehem MD health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at provide 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 college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bethlehem MD medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bethlehem MD, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Technician Training Bethlehem MD

Phlebotomy School Near Me Bethlehem Maryland

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy School Near Me and to get more information regarding Become Phlebotomist.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bethlehem MD.

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    List of former Maryland state highways (2–199)

    The Maryland highway system has several hundred former state highways. These highways were constructed, maintained, or funded by the Maryland State Roads Commission or Maryland State Highway Administration and assigned a unique or temporally unique number. Some time after the highway was assigned, the highway was transferred to county or municipal maintenance and the number designation was removed from the particular stretch of road. In some cases, a highway was renumbered in whole or in part. This list contains all or most of the state-numbered highways between 2 and 199 that have existed since highways were first numbered in 1927 but are no longer part of the state highway system or are state highways of a different number. Most former state highways have not had their numbers reused. However, many state highway numbers were used for a former highway and are currently in use. Some numbers have been used three times. The former highways below whose numbers are used presently, those that were taken over in whole or in part by another highway, or have enough information to warrant a separate article contain links to those separate highway articles. Highway numbers that have two or more former uses are differentiated below by year ranges. This list does not include former Interstate or U.S. Highways, which are linked from their respective lists.

    Maryland Route 17 was the designation for most of what is now MD 33 between Claiborne and Easton in western Talbot County. The state highway was one of the original state-numbered highways marked in 1927.[1] MD 17 was replaced with MD 33 when the two highways swapped numbers in 1940.[2]

    Maryland Route 20 was the designation for North Point Road, which originally ran from the tracks of an interurban near Fort Howard north through Edgemere and Dundalk in southeastern Baltimore County to US 40 in Baltimore. MD 20 was the main highway between Baltimore and Sparrows Point, which was accessed by MD 151 (Sparrows Point Road) from Edgemere.[MD 20 1] The interurban line connected Baltimore with Bay Shore Park, an amusement park that operated between 1906 and 1947 within what is now North Point State Park.[MD 20 1][MD 20 2] As early as 1923 and late as 1928, a ferry connected Bay Shore Park with Rock Hall, thus briefly and indirectly connecting this MD 20 with the extant MD 20 in Kent County.[MD 20 3][MD 20 4][MD 20 5]

     

     

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