Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Versailles Connecticut

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Versailles CT is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, many students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Versailles CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Versailles CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Versailles CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 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 most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Versailles 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. But since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Versailles CT schools you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Versailles CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start 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 ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Versailles CT local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final 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 Adequate Training Included? To begin with, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Versailles CT phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Connecticut colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Versailles CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Versailles CT medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Versailles CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Versailles CT

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Versailles CT.

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