Maryland Archives - Train to Become a Phlebotomist

Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near Randallstown Maryland

Randallstown MD phlebotomist taking blood sample Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Randallstown MD is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to researching phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are researching to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Description

Randallstown MD phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Randallstown MD area labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

Randallstown MD diagnostic lab blood analysis The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Randallstown MD hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, 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 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 every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

Randallstown MD phlebotomy lab There are primarily two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at Randallstown MD community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most Randallstown MD employers look for certification prior to 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Randallstown MD To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some Randallstown MD students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Randallstown MD programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maryland or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Randallstown MD job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Randallstown MD hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maryland school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the Randallstown MD training program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with Randallstown MD healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Randallstown health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much 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 college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Randallstown MD health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Randallstown MD, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Randallstown MD?

Randallstown, Maryland

Randallstown is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It is named after Christopher and Thomas Randall, two 18th-century tavern-keepers. At that time, Randallstown was a tollgate crossroads on the Liberty Turnpike, a major east–west thoroughfare. Today it is a suburb of Baltimore, with a population of 32,430 as of the 2010 census.[2] In the 1990s, Randallstown transitioned to a majority African American community, and is currently notable for its broad ethnic diversity.

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 30,870 people, 11,379 households, and 8,147 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,996.1 people per square mile (1,157.2/km²). There were 11,900 housing units at an average density of 1,155.0 per square mile (446.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 23.18% White, 72.11% African American, 0.20% Native American, 2.21% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population. 6% of Randallstown's residents were Sub-Saharan African, 5% German, 3% African, 3% West Indian, 3% Irish, 2% Russian, 2% English, 2% Nigerian, 2% Polish, 2% Italian, and 2% Jamaican.[6]

There were 11,379 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 17.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.0 males.

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Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Randallstown MD

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Randallstown MD.