How to Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Gloucester Virginia

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Gloucester VA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby 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 much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Gloucester VA medical environments, well this job probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians tend to work with nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the perfect job for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Gloucester VA laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Gloucester VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, 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 Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of Gloucester VA employers require certification before employing technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some Gloucester VA students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is relevant if you will be commuting from Gloucester VA in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the Gloucester VA job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, 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 looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Gloucester VA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Gloucester VA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate 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 a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Gloucester VA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Gloucester VA, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Blood Drawing Classes Gloucester VA

Phlebotomy School Gloucester Virginia

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy School and to get more information regarding 2 Day Phlebotomy Course.  However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gloucester VA.

More Virginia Bloody Wonderful Locations

Blood Drawing Course Purcellville VA

Study Phlebotomy Mc Lean VA

Phlebotomy Training For Nurses Clover VA

Accredited Phlebotomy Programs Meadowview VA

Phlebotomist Education And Training Required Dayton VA

Evening Phlebotomy Classes Sterling VA

Phlebotomy Certification Schools Dublin VA

Find Phlebotomist Associates Degrees West Mclean VA

Phlebotomy Classes Price Surry VA

How Long Are Phlebotomy Classes Leesburg VA