Picking a Phlebotomy School near Rochester New Hampshire

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Rochester NH is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary function, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Rochester NH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Rochester NH medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Rochester NH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as 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 provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, most employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Rochester 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. However since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Hampshire campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Rochester NH colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Rochester NH. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Rochester NH area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final 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 full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Rochester NH phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the New Hampshire programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Rochester NH medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Rochester NH healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rochester NH, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. Among the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must organize a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Rochester NH

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Rochester NH.

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