Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Program near Hartford Connecticut

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Hartford CT is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal duty, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Hartford CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Hartford CT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Hartford CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the main 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 require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hartford CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school 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 premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 Connecticut campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the Hartford CT schools you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a respected 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 school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Hartford CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are considering. 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 online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact a few Hartford CT local clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Hartford CT phlebotomist 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Hartford CT health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Hartford CT medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hartford CT, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's a good idea to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to organize some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but write down several ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Select the Best Phlebotomy Course near Hartford CT

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a wide range of academic institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must diligently screen and compare each program before making your final choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hartford CT.

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