Phlebotomy Certification Course Online Takoma Park MD

How to Select the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Takoma Park Maryland

Takoma Park MD phlebotomist drawing blood from patientPicking the right phlebotomy technician school near Takoma Park MD is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

blood analysis performed in Takoma Park MD labFirst of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Takoma Park MD medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

Takoma Park MD phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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 phlebotomists in fact work in Takoma Park MD laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Takoma Park MD medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

Takoma Park MD phlebotomy tech drawing bloodThere are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many Takoma Park MD employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

Takoma Park MD student attending online phlebotomy classesTo begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some Takoma Park MD students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

What to ask Takoma Park MD phlebotomy schoolsNow that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Takoma Park MD in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Takoma Park MD job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Takoma Park 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 find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Takoma Park MD healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Takoma Park MD medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Takoma Park MD, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Course Cost Takoma Park MD

Phlebotomy Certification Course Online Takoma Park Maryland

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Certification Course Online and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Training Courses Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right phlebotomy college for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Takoma Park MD.

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    Takoma Park, Maryland

    Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington metropolitan area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City", is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone. A planned commuter suburb, it is situated along the Metropolitan Branch of the historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, just northeast of Washington, D.C., and it shares a border and history with the adjacent neighborhood of Takoma, Washington, D.C. It is governed by an elected mayor and six elected councilmembers, who form the city council, and an appointed city manager, under a council-manager style of government. The city's population was 16,715 at the 2010 national census.[4]

    Since 2013, residents of Takoma Park can vote in municipal elections when they turn sixteen.[5] It was the first city in the United States to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds in city elections.[5] Since then, the City of Hyattsville has done the same.[6]

    Takoma Park was founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in 1883.[7] It was one of the first planned Victorian commuter suburbs, [8] centered on the B&O railroad station in Takoma, D.C., and bore aspects of a spa and trolley park.

     

     

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