Picking a Phlebotomist School near Bristol Rhode Island

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy training near Bristol RI is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. Many Bristol RI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, including Bristol RI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Bristol RI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Bristol RI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior 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 ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general 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 intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Rhode Island school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you need to ask about all of the Bristol RI programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Rhode Island? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Rhode Island or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Bristol RI. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Bristol RI local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Rhode Island school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Rhode Island 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. At a minimum, any Bristol RI phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Rhode Island programs 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 typically not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Bristol RI healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bristol RI health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bristol RI, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but jot down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Bristol RI

Making certain that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Bristol RI.

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