Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Newport New Hampshire

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Newport NH is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening 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. Many Newport NH phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, including Newport NH medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Newport NH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers require certification before employing 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Newport NH 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-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Hampshire college is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Newport NH schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Newport NH. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal 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 check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Newport NH area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Hampshire school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Newport NH phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the New Hampshire schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Newport NH medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Newport NH health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Newport NH, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several ideas and topics that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Newport NH

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Newport NH.

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