Selecting a Phlebotomist Course near Cape Elizabeth Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Cape Elizabeth ME is a critical first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might 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 you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Cape Elizabeth ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Cape Elizabeth ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Cape Elizabeth ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cape Elizabeth ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college 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 superior education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Cape Elizabeth ME programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As previously mentioned, 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 working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need 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 readies you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Cape Elizabeth ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive 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 some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Cape Elizabeth ME local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? 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 Cape Elizabeth ME phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maine schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Cape Elizabeth ME medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Cape Elizabeth ME medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Cape Elizabeth ME, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain 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 because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare a number of approaches about how you want to answer them. Because there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Cape Elizabeth ME

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cape Elizabeth ME.

Learn About Cape Elizabeth Maine

 

 

More Interesting Maine Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rockwood ME 04478

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Gorham ME 04038

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bar Harbor ME 04609

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rockland ME 04841

Phlebotomy Training Schools near South China ME 04358

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Levant ME 04456

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Saco ME 04072

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Belgrade ME 04917

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Topsham ME 04086

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Garland ME 04939