Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Bowdoinham Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Bowdoinham ME is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important 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 evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening 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. Some Bowdoinham ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Bowdoinham ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Bowdoinham ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with 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, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies 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, including 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 furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bowdoinham ME 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Bowdoinham ME colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in Bowdoinham ME. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 any schools you are looking at. 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 research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Bowdoinham ME local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bowdoinham ME phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Maine schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Bowdoinham ME healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bowdoinham ME medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bowdoinham ME, 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare several ideas about how you want to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near Bowdoinham ME

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bowdoinham ME.

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