Picking a Phlebotomist School near Oakville Connecticut

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Oakville CT is a critical first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide 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 continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed to be able to track the sample from the point 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 can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Oakville CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Oakville CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Oakville CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education together 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some of the primary 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Oakville CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online classes are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you 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 decided on the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut school is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Oakville CT programs you are reviewing prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Connecticut? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits 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 qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Oakville CT. Finally, 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 College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate 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 screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even check with some Oakville CT area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? To begin with, 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 length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Oakville CT phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? 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 optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Oakville CT health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Oakville CT medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Oakville CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's advantageous to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of routine interview questions, so you should prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to answer them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy Program near Oakville CT

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can differ somewhat 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 thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Oakville CT.

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