Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Southbury Connecticut

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Southbury CT is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation 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 should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Southbury CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Southbury CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Southbury CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Southbury CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). 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 attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Southbury CT programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as 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 premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Southbury CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Southbury CT area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Southbury CT phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish 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 expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Connecticut colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Southbury CT health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Southbury CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Southbury CT, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Program near Southbury CT

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ slightly from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Southbury CT.

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