Find Phlebotomy Training Near Me in Prince George VA 23875

Picking a Phlebotomist Training Course near Prince George Virginia

Prince George VA phlebotomist taking blood sampleEnrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Prince George VA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomist 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 as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are evaluating 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 conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

Prince George VA phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Prince George VA area labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

Prince George VA diagnostic lab blood analysisThe most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Prince George VA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

Prince George VA phlebotomy lab There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at Prince George VA community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most Prince George VA employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Prince George VAFirst, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many Prince George VA students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Prince George VA programs you are looking at before making your ultimate 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 a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose 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 College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Prince George VA job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to several Prince George VA hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing 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 Provided? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out 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 (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the Prince George VA training program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with Prince George VA medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Prince George medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Prince George VA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Prince George VA, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Prince George VA?

Prince George County, Virginia

Prince George County was formed in 1703 in the Virginia Colony from the portion of Charles City County that was south of the James River. It was named in honor of Prince George of Denmark, husband of Anne, Queen of Great Britain.

In 1619, "Charles Cittie" [sic] was one of four "boroughs" or "incorporations" created by the Virginia Company. The first Charles City County courthouses were located along the James River at Westover Plantation on the north side and City Point on the south side. The Virginia Company lost its charter in 1624, and Virginia became a royal colony. Charles City Shire was formed in 1634 in the Virginia Colony by order of Charles I, King of England. It was named as Charles City County in 1643.

Charles Cittie, Charles City Shire, and Charles City County all extended to both sides of the James River, which was the major transportation thoroughfare of the Virginia Colony throughout the 17th century. The original central city of Charles City County was Charles City Point, which was in an area south of the James River at the confluence of the Appomattox River. The name was later shortened to City Point.

In 1703, all of the original area of Charles City County south of the James River was severed to form Prince George County. As population increased, portions were divided and organized as several additional counties. City Point became an incorporated town in Prince George County.

The location could not be found.

Select the Right Phlebotomy Training Program near Prince George VA

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Prince George VA.

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