Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Penobscot Maine

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Penobscot ME is an important initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing 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 selection 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 assessing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Penobscot ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Penobscot ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older 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 setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Penobscot ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides 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 provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Penobscot 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior 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.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may 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 important in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Penobscot ME programs you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Penobscot ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Penobscot ME local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Penobscot ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Maine colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Penobscot ME healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much 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 school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Penobscot ME medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Penobscot ME, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down several concepts and topics that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Penobscot ME

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Penobscot ME.

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