Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Avon Connecticut

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Avon CT is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order 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 can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Avon CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Avon CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Avon CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 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 enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Avon CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut college is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure 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 should ask about all of the Avon CT programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Connecticut? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Avon CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Avon CT area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Avon CT phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Connecticut schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Avon CT health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Avon CT medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? 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 Avon CT, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Avon CT

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Avon CT.

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