Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Norfolk VA 23501

Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Norfolk Virginia

Norfolk VA phlebotomist taking blood sampleSelecting the right phlebotomist training near Norfolk VA is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are researching to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

Norfolk VA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Norfolk VA area labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

Norfolk VA diagnostic lab blood analysisThe simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Norfolk VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

Norfolk VA phlebotomy lab There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at Norfolk VA junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of Norfolk VA employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Norfolk VATo begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some Norfolk VA students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose 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 premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked 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 campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Norfolk VA colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Virginia? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded 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 in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Norfolk VA 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 caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact some Norfolk VA clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? 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. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the Norfolk VA training program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Norfolk VA health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Norfolk health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Norfolk VA health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Norfolk VA, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Norfolk VA?

Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk (/ˈnɔːrfʊk/ NOR-fuuk) is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. At the 2010 census, the population was 242,803;[3] in 2017, the population was estimated to be 244,703[4] making it the second-most populous city in Virginia after neighboring Virginia Beach.

Norfolk is located at the core of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, named for the large natural harbor of the same name located at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. It is one of nine cities and seven counties that constitute the Hampton Roads metro area, officially known as the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC MSA. The city is bordered to the west by the Elizabeth River and to the north by the Chesapeake Bay. It also shares land borders with the independent cities of Chesapeake to its south and Virginia Beach to its east. Norfolk is one of the oldest cities in Hampton Roads, and is considered to be the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region.

The city has a long history as a strategic military and transportation point. The largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk, is located in Norfolk along with one of NATO's two Strategic Command headquarters. The city also has the corporate headquarters of Norfolk Southern Railway, one of North America's principal Class I railroads, and Maersk Line, Limited, which manages the world's largest fleet of US-flag vessels. As the city is bordered by multiple bodies of water, Norfolk has many miles of riverfront and bayfront property, including beaches on the Chesapeake Bay. It is linked to its neighbors by an extensive network of Interstate highways, bridges, tunnels, and three bridge-tunnel complexes, which are the only bridge-tunnels in the United States.

In 1619 the Governor of the Virginia Colony, Sir George Yeardley, incorporated four jurisdictions, termed citties, for the developed portion of the colony. These formed the basis for colonial representative government in the newly minted House of Burgesses. What would become Norfolk was put under the Elizabeth Cittie incorporation.

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Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Training Program near Norfolk VA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Norfolk VA.

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