Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Athens Maine

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Athens ME is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor 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 remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Athens ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Athens ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Athens ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route 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 on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one possible 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 conducted either in an approved Athens ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous 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 convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Athens ME schools you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Athens ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Athens ME area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Athens ME phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Athens ME health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high 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 Athens ME health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Athens ME, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Athens ME

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right college for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Athens ME.

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