Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Harpswell Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Harpswell ME is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, most potential students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Harpswell ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Harpswell ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working 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 setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Harpswell ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education together 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, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Harpswell ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine school is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Harpswell ME schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Harpswell ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In a number of 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 the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Harpswell ME local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, 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. As a minimum, any Harpswell ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Harpswell ME health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Harpswell ME healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Harpswell ME, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should ready several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to 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 talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Course near Harpswell ME

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Harpswell ME.

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