Selecting a Phlebotomist School near Lebanon Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Lebanon ME is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Lebanon ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Lebanon ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting 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, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Lebanon ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers 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 exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lebanon ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain 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 clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Lebanon ME schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws 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 clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school 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 examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Lebanon ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Lebanon ME local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer 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 full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Lebanon ME phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Lebanon ME healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Lebanon ME medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate program you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lebanon ME, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomy Program near Lebanon ME

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lebanon ME.

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