Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near New Portland Maine

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near New Portland ME is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should 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 address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of New Portland ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, such as New Portland ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in New Portland ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying organizations 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including 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 furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved New Portland ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine college is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the New Portland ME colleges you are considering prior to 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 phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose 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 benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in New Portland ME. Finally, 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 College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some New Portland ME area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any New Portland 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 clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maine schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local New Portland ME healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the New Portland ME health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near New Portland ME, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near New Portland ME

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in New Portland ME.

Learn About New Portland Maine

 

 

More Interesting Maine Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Limerick ME 04048

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bridgton ME 04009

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Whiting ME 04691

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Washington ME 04574

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Seal Harbor ME 04675

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Gray ME 04039

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Brunswick ME 04011

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Boothbay ME 04537

Phlebotomy Training Schools near West Kennebunk ME 04094

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Palmyra ME 04965