Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Old Town Maine

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Old Town ME is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. 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. Many Old Town ME phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Old Town ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Old Town ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key certifying agencies 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 Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Old Town 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-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in 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 quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind 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 relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Old Town ME programs you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Old Town ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited school 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 little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, 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 colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several Old Town ME area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Old Town ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Old Town ME health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Old Town ME healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Old Town ME, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study 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 should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Old Town ME

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. By addressing 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 appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Old Town ME.

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