Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Gardiner Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Gardiner ME is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Gardiner ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Gardiner ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns 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 new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Gardiner ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Gardiner ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Gardiner ME colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Gardiner ME. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Gardiner ME area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, 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 classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Gardiner ME phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Maine programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Gardiner ME health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Gardiner ME medical community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Gardiner ME, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. Even 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 in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist Course near Gardiner ME

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Gardiner ME.

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