Picking Out the Right Online Phlebotomy Certification Course
Learning phlebotomy is good way to start up your career in the medical field. However, many people who enroll in phlebotomy classes are either working full-time or part-time in other healthcare institutions. Though they may want to expand their skills, attending phlebotomy classes is difficult with their tight schedules. Furthermore, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants are quite adept in collecting blood samples but are often not recognized because they do not have any certification. Fortunately there are now programs that offer online phlebotomy certification. But before you sign up here are a few things you might want to know to help you choose an online program.
Not all programs are the same and some might just want to make money from unsuspecting people. When choosing an online program make sure to check if these are certified by certain associations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the American Medical Technologists. A list of certified schools can easily be obtained from the websites of these agencies. Nearly all hospitals accept only phlebotomists that trained in accredited programs, so it’s important to do some research before enrolling. In addition, search for programs that allow students to sit for the National Phlebotomy Certification after they have finished taking their final exams. This way they can both state and nationwide certification.
Online certification courses are similar to that of traditional classes. It includes topics on:
Despite being in an online course, students who do not have any on-the-job training will be required to join laboratory exercises where they learn how to do venipuncture, proper specimen labeling and transporting of samples to the laboratory. They’re also required to have around 40 hours of hospital exposure where they get to collect blood samples from actual patients. However in most programs that cater to healthcare professionals who are already working in health care facilities, they only require students to submit documentation that they have done at least twenty five venipuncture and fifteen capillary sticks collection in the hospital or clinic that they work in. All these cases need to be signed by a licensed phlebotomist or a medical doctor.
Other factors to consider when choosing a program includes cost of the program, distance of the training center and flexibility of the schedule. Make sure you ask about these, especially if you’re holding a job. Considering the time, effort and money you will be investing to get your certificate, take these precautions to minimize enrolling in a wrong program.
Not all programs are the same and some might just want to make money from unsuspecting people. When choosing an online program make sure to check if these are certified by certain associations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the American Medical Technologists. A list of certified schools can easily be obtained from the websites of these agencies. Nearly all hospitals accept only phlebotomists that trained in accredited programs, so it’s important to do some research before enrolling. In addition, search for programs that allow students to sit for the National Phlebotomy Certification after they have finished taking their final exams. This way they can both state and nationwide certification.
Online certification courses are similar to that of traditional classes. It includes topics on:
- Medical terminology
- First aid
- Basic life support
- Anatomy & Physiology
Despite being in an online course, students who do not have any on-the-job training will be required to join laboratory exercises where they learn how to do venipuncture, proper specimen labeling and transporting of samples to the laboratory. They’re also required to have around 40 hours of hospital exposure where they get to collect blood samples from actual patients. However in most programs that cater to healthcare professionals who are already working in health care facilities, they only require students to submit documentation that they have done at least twenty five venipuncture and fifteen capillary sticks collection in the hospital or clinic that they work in. All these cases need to be signed by a licensed phlebotomist or a medical doctor.
Other factors to consider when choosing a program includes cost of the program, distance of the training center and flexibility of the schedule. Make sure you ask about these, especially if you’re holding a job. Considering the time, effort and money you will be investing to get your certificate, take these precautions to minimize enrolling in a wrong program.