Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Hawleyville Connecticut

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Hawleyville CT is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Hawleyville CT phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, including Hawleyville CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Hawleyville CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Hawleyville CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality 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.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut college is important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Hawleyville CT programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Hawleyville CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Hawleyville CT area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Hawleyville CT phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Connecticut colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Hawleyville CT health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Hawleyville CT medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hawleyville CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy School near Hawleyville CT

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final selection. 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 training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hawleyville CT.

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