Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Bucksport Maine

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Bucksport ME is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Bucksport ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as Bucksport ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Bucksport ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. 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. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bucksport ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type 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 relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Bucksport ME colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Bucksport ME. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Bucksport ME local clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? To begin with, 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 Bucksport ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Maine schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal 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 Bucksport ME health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Bucksport ME health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bucksport ME, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Bucksport ME

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bucksport ME.

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