Picking a Phlebotomist School near Rocky Hill Connecticut

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Rocky Hill CT is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Rocky Hill CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, such as Rocky Hill CT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Rocky Hill CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also prepares you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Rocky Hill 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 in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality 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 best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut campus is significant as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Rocky Hill CT colleges you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Rocky Hill CT. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 essential to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Rocky Hill CT area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested 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 ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? To begin with, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Rocky Hill CT phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Connecticut programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Rocky Hill CT medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Rocky Hill CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rocky Hill CT, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify 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 need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and talents you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize several ideas about how you want to answer them. Since there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Rocky Hill CT

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Rocky Hill CT.

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