Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Lovell Maine

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near Lovell ME is an important initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need 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 such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Lovell ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Lovell ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Lovell ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Lovell 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college 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 receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about each of the Lovell ME schools you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Lovell ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Lovell ME local 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 contact the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Lovell ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Maine colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Lovell ME health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Lovell ME health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lovell ME, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of routine interview questions, so you must ready several ideas about how you would like to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Course near Lovell ME

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Lovell ME.

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