Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Thorndike Maine

Picking the right phlebotomist training near Thorndike ME is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Thorndike ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, including Thorndike ME medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are essentially two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Thorndike ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Thorndike 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 prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Maine campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Thorndike ME programs you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Thorndike ME. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Thorndike ME area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide 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 colleges are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Thorndike ME phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Maine colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Thorndike ME medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Thorndike ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Thorndike ME, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several strategies about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Thorndike ME

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy 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 go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Thorndike ME.

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