Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Salem New Hampshire

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Salem NH is an important first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start their search 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 nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must 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 assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. A number of Salem NH phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested correctly under 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 are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Salem NH hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Salem NH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Salem NH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Hampshire school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Salem NH programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Salem NH. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Salem NH area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? First, check with the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Salem 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 offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the New Hampshire schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Salem NH medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Salem NH healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Salem NH, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomy College near Salem NH

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Salem NH.

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