Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Solon Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Solon ME is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Solon ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Solon ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw 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 drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Solon ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Solon ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the Solon ME programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. 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 working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Solon ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can begin 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 ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Solon ME local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Solon ME phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Maine colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Solon ME healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Solon ME health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Solon ME, make certain 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 certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must prepare a number of strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomy School near Solon ME

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Solon ME.

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