Choosing a Phlebotomist School near East Providence Rhode Island

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near East Providence RI is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting task to assess and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by considering 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 classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some East Providence RI phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as East Providence RI hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in East Providence RI, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary 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 phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect 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 portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved East Providence RI 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. But since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now 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 want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Rhode Island campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the East Providence RI schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Rhode Island or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in East Providence RI. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also contact a few East Providence RI local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Rhode Island school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, 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 amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any East Providence RI phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Rhode Island schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local East Providence RI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the East Providence RI healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the ultimate school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near East Providence RI, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy College near East Providence RI

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly across the country 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 carefully screen and compare each college before making your ultimate decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in East Providence RI.

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