Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Dover Foxcroft Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Dover Foxcroft ME is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Dover Foxcroft ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can 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 patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Dover Foxcroft ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Dover Foxcroft ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dover Foxcroft 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now 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 decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Dover Foxcroft ME programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maine? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, 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 getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Dover Foxcroft ME. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with several Dover Foxcroft ME local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dover Foxcroft ME phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Dover Foxcroft ME healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dover Foxcroft ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Dover Foxcroft ME, make certain 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 study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready a number of strategies about how you want to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Dover Foxcroft ME

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each school before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dover Foxcroft ME.

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