Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Kennebunkport Maine

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Kennebunkport ME is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review 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 factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Kennebunkport ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Kennebunkport ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Kennebunkport ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Kennebunkport 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. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 college is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Kennebunkport ME schools you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. 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 readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Kennebunkport 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 Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. 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 online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Kennebunkport ME area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Kennebunkport ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from 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 frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Kennebunkport ME medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Kennebunkport ME healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Kennebunkport ME, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare some approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Kennebunkport ME

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Kennebunkport ME.

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