Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Wethersfield Connecticut

Choosing the ideal phlebotomist training near Wethersfield CT is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to assess and compare all of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to 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 choose the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. A number of Wethersfield CT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Wethersfield CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Wethersfield CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in most states, many employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, 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 provides a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Wethersfield CT 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. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy 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 might have already selected the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut campus is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Wethersfield CT schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Wethersfield CT. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, 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 considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact some Wethersfield CT area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Wethersfield CT phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Connecticut schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Wethersfield CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Wethersfield CT medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wethersfield CT, check that they are available 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 clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that hiring managers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several strategies about how you would like to address them. Since there are several factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist School near Wethersfield CT

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wethersfield CT.

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