Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Ledyard Connecticut

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Ledyard CT is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Ledyard CT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Ledyard CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Ledyard CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides 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 provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential 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 are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Ledyard 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-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

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 may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Ledyard CT schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Ledyard CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Ledyard CT area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Ledyard CT phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Connecticut schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Ledyard CT healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Ledyard CT medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Ledyard CT, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Right Phlebotomist College near Ledyard CT

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Ledyard CT.

Learn About Ledyard Connecticut

 

 

More Interesting Connecticut Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Washington CT 06793

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Avon CT 06001

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Canaan CT 06018

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Morris CT 06763

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Portland CT 06480

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stonington CT 06378

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Broad Brook CT 06016

Phlebotomy Training Schools near West Suffield CT 06093

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Greenwich CT 06830

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Middletown CT 06457