Picking a Phlebotomy Course near Easton Maine

Picking the right phlebotomy school near Easton ME is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports 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. Many Easton ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Easton ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Easton ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Easton 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Easton ME programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Easton ME. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Easton ME area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Easton ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Maine programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Easton ME medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Easton ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Easton ME, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Easton ME

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Easton ME.

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