Choosing a Phlebotomy School near Eddington Maine

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Eddington ME is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should 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 reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Eddington ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Eddington ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior 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 working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Eddington ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a basic 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 phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Eddington 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-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist 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 might have already picked the type 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 campus is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Eddington ME programs you are considering prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maine? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. 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 working and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Eddington ME. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any colleges you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Eddington ME local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Eddington ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Maine programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Eddington ME health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Eddington ME health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Eddington ME, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to organize a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Right Phlebotomist School near Eddington ME

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings can differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Eddington ME.

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