Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near Rockland Maine

Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near Rockland ME is an important first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Rockland ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Rockland ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Rockland ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rockland ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure 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 means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Rockland ME schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist 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 be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable 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 quality education. To begin with, 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 loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Rockland ME. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to some Rockland ME local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, 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 Rockland ME phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maine programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Rockland ME health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Rockland ME health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Rockland ME, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Course near Rockland ME

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling 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. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research 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 best school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Rockland ME.

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