How to Find the Right Phlebotomy Tech School near Great Mills Maryland

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Great Mills MD is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far 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 selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our conversation about online classes.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

Right out of the gate, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So naturally anyone who selects this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Great Mills MD medical facilities, well this profession probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work around nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be expected to work weekends, nights 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 compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able 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 tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Great Mills MD laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Great Mills MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Great Mills MD employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for some Great Mills MD students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Great Mills MD in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Great Mills MD job market.

What is the College’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 quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with several Great Mills MD clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Great Mills MD medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most 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 Great Mills MD health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Great Mills MD, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Blood Drawing Course Great Mills MD

Training For Phlebotomy Great Mills Maryland

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Training For Phlebotomy and to get more information regarding Phlebotomists Schools.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Great Mills MD.

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