Picking a Phlebotomist School near New Fairfield Connecticut

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist training near New Fairfield CT is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools 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 accreditation and reputation are also important 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 assessing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of New Fairfield CT phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including New Fairfield CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in New Fairfield CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest 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 phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some 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 a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved New Fairfield CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut school is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the New Fairfield CT programs you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with 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 Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in New Fairfield CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact some New Fairfield CT area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, contact the Connecticut 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any New Fairfield CT phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish 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 comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Connecticut programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local New Fairfield CT health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the New Fairfield CT health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near New Fairfield CT, make sure they are available at those times. Also, 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 find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and talking points that relate to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Course near New Fairfield CT

Making certain that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options can vary somewhat across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in New Fairfield CT.

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