Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Damariscotta Maine

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy school near Damariscotta ME is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. 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 Damariscotta ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Damariscotta ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Damariscotta ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest 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 provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Damariscotta 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 part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Damariscotta ME colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need 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 prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school 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 exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Damariscotta ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Damariscotta ME area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. 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 full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Damariscotta ME phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Maine programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Damariscotta ME healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Damariscotta ME medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Damariscotta ME, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Damariscotta ME

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Damariscotta ME.

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