How to Find the Best Phlebotomy Training Course near Goochland Virginia

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Goochland VA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two 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 an area campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

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Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

Right out of the gate, few people probably 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 naturally anyone who selects this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Goochland VA medical facilities, well this profession may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work with anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you will probably be required to work weekends, nights and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Goochland VA laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Goochland VA medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a general education as well as 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most Goochland VA employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Goochland VA students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 important if you will be commuting from Goochland VA in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Goochland VA job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. 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 research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Goochland VA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Virginia 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Goochland VA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Goochland VA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Goochland 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. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

How To Become A Certified Phlebotomist Goochland VA

Phlebotomy Course Goochland Virginia

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Course and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Technician Programs Near Me.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right phlebotomist school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Goochland VA.

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