Selecting a Phlebotomist Training Program near North New Portland Maine

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near North New Portland ME is a critical initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of North New Portland ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as North New Portland ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working 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 Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in North New Portland ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved North New Portland 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 part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality 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 right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the North New Portland ME colleges you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in North New Portland ME. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, 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 considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few North New Portland ME local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any North New Portland ME phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide 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 sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Find out from the Maine colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local North New Portland ME health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the North New Portland ME health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near North New Portland 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 as well. Even if you have decided to attend 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 should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to prepare some strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy School near North New Portland ME

Making certain that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in North New Portland ME.

Learn About North New Portland Maine

 

 

More Interesting Maine Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Blue Hill ME 04614

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pembroke ME 04666

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wytopitlock ME 04497

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Cushing ME 04563

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Brooks ME 04921

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Brewer ME 04412

Phlebotomy Training Schools near East Millinocket ME 04430

Phlebotomy Training Schools near North Yarmouth ME 04097

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Smithfield ME 04978

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Brooksville ME 04617