Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Madison Connecticut

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Madison CT is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly 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 screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Madison CT phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Madison CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Madison CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the main 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 Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Madison CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 Connecticut school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Madison CT colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Madison CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Madison CT area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, contact 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. As a minimum, any Madison CT phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Madison CT healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Madison CT medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Madison CT, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical 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 Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you must organize several approaches about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Madison CT

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Madison CT.

Learn About Madison Connecticut

 

 

More Interesting Connecticut Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Preston CT 06365

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Woodbridge CT 06525

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cornwall CT 06753

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ellington CT 06029

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rogers CT 06263

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Newtown CT 06470

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Washington CT 06793

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Waterbury CT 06701

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Amston CT 06231

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Chaplin CT 06235