Picking a Phlebotomist School near Norfolk Connecticut

Picking the ideal phlebotomy school near Norfolk CT is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Norfolk CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Norfolk CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Norfolk CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Norfolk 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. However since the non-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online might be the ideal choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut school is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about all of the Norfolk CT colleges you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program 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 many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, 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 agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Norfolk CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to a few Norfolk CT area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Norfolk CT phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Norfolk CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Norfolk CT health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Norfolk CT, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's important to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare a number of ideas about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Norfolk CT

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy training programs are offered in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully evaluate and compare each school prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Norfolk CT.

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