Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Brownfield Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Brownfield ME is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many prospective students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. 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. Many Brownfield ME phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Brownfield ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked 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 drawing blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working 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. 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 new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Brownfield ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and provides a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before hiring 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Brownfield ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine college is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Brownfield ME colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Brownfield ME. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to some Brownfield ME area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maine 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 Brownfield ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Maine schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Brownfield ME healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Brownfield ME medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Brownfield ME, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to ready several ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Program near Brownfield ME

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Brownfield ME.

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