Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Barnstead New Hampshire

Picking the right phlebotomy technician training near Barnstead NH is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be properly completed 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 an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Barnstead NH phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using 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 response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Barnstead NH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Barnstead NH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and provides a general education as well as 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 include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main certifying agencies 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, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Barnstead NH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical part of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Hampshire campus is important as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about all of the Barnstead NH colleges you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Hampshire? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Barnstead NH. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, 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 reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Barnstead NH local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the New Hampshire 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 Barnstead NH phlebotomist program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the New Hampshire programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Barnstead NH health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Barnstead NH medical community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Barnstead NH, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of routine interview questions, so you must organize a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are numerous variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Barnstead NH

Making certain that you select the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a number of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Barnstead NH.

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