How Long Is Phlebotomy Training Hartwood VA - Phlebotomist Training Schools

How to Select the Right Phlebotomy Tech School near Hartwood Virginia

Hartwood VA phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Hartwood VA is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into 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 remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

blood analysis performed in Hartwood VA lab Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are nervous in hospitals or other Hartwood VA medical environments, well this profession may not be right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work around anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

Hartwood VA phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists in fact work in Hartwood VA labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Hartwood VA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

Hartwood VA phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate 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 provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Hartwood VA employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies include:

National Phlebotomy Association
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

Hartwood VA student attending online phlebotomy classes To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some Hartwood VA students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

What to ask Hartwood VA phlebotomy schools Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is significant if you will be commuting from Hartwood VA in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an accredited phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Hartwood VA job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. 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 screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Hartwood VA clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Hartwood VA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Hartwood VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Hartwood VA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Blood Draw School Hartwood VA

How Long Is Phlebotomy Training Hartwood Virginia

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your final choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Long Is Phlebotomy Training and to get more information regarding Blood Drawing Course. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hartwood VA.