Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near New Durham New Hampshire

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near New Durham NH is an essential first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some New Durham NH phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, such as New Durham NH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in New Durham NH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the principal 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved New Durham 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might 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 New Hampshire college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the New Durham NH schools you are considering prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a reputable regional or national 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 a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in New Durham NH. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few New Durham 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 final thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any New Durham NH phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority 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? Find out from the New Hampshire colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local New Durham NH healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the New Durham NH health care community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near New Durham NH, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near New Durham NH

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Durham NH.

Learn About New Durham New Hampshire

 

 

More Interesting New Hampshire Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near New Ipswich NH 03071

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Milton NH 03851

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rumney NH 03266

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Walpole NH 03608

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bethlehem NH 03574

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Temple NH 03084

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Campton NH 03223

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Pelham NH 03076

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lyme NH 03768

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Jefferson NH 03583