Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Whiting Maine

Selecting the right phlebotomy technician school near Whiting ME is an essential first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, most students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk 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 such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process also. 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 select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Whiting ME phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Whiting ME hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Whiting ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring 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 phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Whiting ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Whiting ME colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Whiting ME. Last, 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 School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also check with a few Whiting ME local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest 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 complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Whiting ME phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Maine colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Whiting ME healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Whiting ME health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Whiting ME, make sure they are offered 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary 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 outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy School near Whiting ME

Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Whiting ME.

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