Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Sanford Maine

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Sanford ME is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports 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. A number of Sanford ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Sanford ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Sanford ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with 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, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish 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, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 essential that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

To start 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 Sanford ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Sanford ME colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs in Sanford ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 also. You can even contact some Sanford ME area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Sanford ME phlebotomist 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maine colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Sanford ME medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer 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 college has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Sanford ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Sanford ME, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy College near Sanford ME

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy 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 school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Sanford ME.

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