Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Warwick Rhode Island

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist school near Warwick RI is a critical first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Warwick RI phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Warwick RI 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 phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Warwick RI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, 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 provides a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Schools

To start with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Warwick RI 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Warwick RI colleges you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Rhode Island? 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. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Rhode Island or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you choose should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Warwick 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 Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even contact several Warwick RI area hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Rhode Island school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Rhode Island regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Warwick RI phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Rhode Island schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Warwick RI health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Warwick RI health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly true if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Warwick RI, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What made you pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Warwick RI

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly across the country as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Warwick RI.

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