Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Bristol Maine

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Bristol ME is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Bristol ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Bristol ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting 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 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Bristol ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bristol ME 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 may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program 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 superior 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 ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Bristol ME programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program 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 several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Bristol ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also check with some Bristol ME area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Maine 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. As a minimum, any Bristol ME phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

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

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot 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 school has a higher rate, meaning 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 Bristol ME medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bristol ME, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some strategies 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 variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Bristol ME

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly 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 carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bristol ME.

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