Picking a Phlebotomist Course near Old Lyme Connecticut

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Old Lyme CT is an important first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk 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 significant considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Old Lyme CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, including Old Lyme CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Old Lyme CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification before employing 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s dispel one possible 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 Old Lyme CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, some online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type 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 school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Old Lyme CT colleges you are considering before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Connecticut? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Old Lyme CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Old Lyme CT area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Old Lyme CT phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Old Lyme CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Old Lyme CT health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Old Lyme CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical 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 due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's important to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomist prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare several ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist College near Old Lyme CT

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be offered in a number of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the right school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Old Lyme CT.

Learn About Old Lyme Connecticut

 

 

More Interesting Connecticut Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bozrah CT 06334

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Wallingford CT 06492

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Ivoryton CT 06442

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Lakeville CT 06039

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Canton Center CT 06020

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Chaplin CT 06235

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Greenwich CT 06830

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Amston CT 06231

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Voluntown CT 06384

Phlebotomy Training Schools near East Windsor CT 06088