Picking a Phlebotomy School near Chebeague Island Maine

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Chebeague Island ME is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local 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 comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. 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. Some Chebeague Island ME phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Chebeague Island ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Chebeague Island ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Chebeague Island 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general 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 intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Chebeague Island ME schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages 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 qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Chebeague Island ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Chebeague Island ME area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact 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 Chebeague Island ME phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maine colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical 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 establish contacts within the local Chebeague Island ME medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Chebeague Island ME medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Chebeague Island ME, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Chebeague Island ME

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Chebeague Island ME.

Learn About Chebeague Island Maine

 

 

More Interesting Maine Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stratton ME 04982

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Stockton Springs ME 04981

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Carmel ME 04419

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Minot ME 04258

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Nobleboro ME 04555

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Sanford ME 04073

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Boothbay Harbor ME 04538

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Caribou ME 04736

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Waterville ME 04901

Phlebotomy Training Schools near West Newfield ME 04095