How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Technician School near Valley Lee Maryland

Selecting the right phlebotomy training near Valley Lee MD is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit 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 including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a medical professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be comfortable with blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Valley Lee MD medical facilities, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists often work around nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Valley Lee MD labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Valley Lee MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working 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 exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of Valley Lee MD employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many Valley Lee MD students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on 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 campus is relevant if you will be commuting from Valley Lee MD as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Valley Lee MD job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Valley Lee MD hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Valley Lee MD healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help 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 positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Valley Lee MD healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Valley Lee 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 also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Accredited Phlebotomy Schools Valley Lee MD

Schools That Offer Phlebotomy Training Valley Lee Maryland

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Schools That Offer Phlebotomy Training and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Technician Classes.  However, by asking the questions that we have provided, 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 accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Valley Lee MD.

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