Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Northeast Harbor Maine

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Northeast Harbor ME is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out 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 tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Northeast Harbor ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Northeast Harbor ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Northeast Harbor ME, which are degree and certificate 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 phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Northeast Harbor 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 can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means 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.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Northeast Harbor ME schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Northeast Harbor ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all schools 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 screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Northeast Harbor ME area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see 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 submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Northeast Harbor ME phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 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 expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Maine programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Northeast Harbor ME healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Northeast Harbor ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Northeast Harbor ME, make certain they are offered 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near Northeast Harbor ME

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Northeast Harbor ME.

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