Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Greenville Maine

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Greenville ME is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. 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 choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the 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 time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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. A number of Greenville ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Greenville ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Greenville ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Greenville 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 component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select 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 means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Greenville ME programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Greenville ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some Greenville ME area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Greenville ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 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 expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Maine colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Greenville ME health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Greenville ME health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Greenville ME, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain 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 Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist Program near Greenville ME

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Greenville ME.

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