Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Portsmouth VA 23701

Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Course near Portsmouth Virginia

Portsmouth VA phlebotomist taking blood sampleSelecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Portsmouth VA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are considering to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

Portsmouth VA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists in fact work in Portsmouth VA area laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

Portsmouth VA diagnostic lab blood analysisThe most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Portsmouth VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working 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 environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

Portsmouth VA phlebotomy lab There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at Portsmouth VA community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, a number of Portsmouth VA employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Portsmouth VATo begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some Portsmouth VA students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Portsmouth VA colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Virginia? As earlier discussed, 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 prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Virginia or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Portsmouth VA job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little 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 check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Portsmouth VA clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Virginia school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the Portsmouth VA training program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

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

Is Job Placement Support Provided? 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 offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Portsmouth VA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Portsmouth VA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Portsmouth VA?

Portsmouth, Virginia

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S. Navy facility that is actually located in Portsmouth rather than Norfolk; the original name "Gosport" was changed to "Norfolk" to reflect its location in what is now the former Norfolk County, Virginia. The shipyard upgrades, remodels, and repairs ships of the US Navy and is one of the few facilities in the world with the capability to dry dock an aircraft carrier.

Directly opposite Norfolk, the city of Portsmouth also has miles of waterfront land on the Elizabeth River as part of the harbor of Hampton Roads. There is a ferry boat that takes riders back and forth across the water between Downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Portsmouth is located on the western side of the Elizabeth River directly across from the City of Norfolk. In 1620, the future site of Portsmouth was recognized as suitable shipbuilding location by John Wood, a shipbuilder, who petitioned King James I of England for a land grant. The surrounding area was soon settled as a plantation community.[4]

Portsmouth was founded by Colonel William Crawford, a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.[5] It was established as a town in 1752 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and was named for Portsmouth, England.[4]

The location could not be found.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Portsmouth VA

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Portsmouth VA.

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