Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near North Franklin Connecticut

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near North Franklin CT is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local 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 far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many North Franklin CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as North Franklin CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in North Franklin CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved North Franklin 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind 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 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 process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the North Franklin CT programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Connecticut? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose 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 phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in North Franklin CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’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 quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. 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 internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several North Franklin CT area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any North Franklin CT phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local North Franklin CT healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the North Franklin CT healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near North Franklin CT, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near North Franklin CT

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in North Franklin CT.

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