Choosing a Phlebotomy Training Program near Rogers Connecticut

Selecting the right phlebotomist school near Rogers CT is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at 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 discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly filled out in order 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Rogers CT phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Rogers CT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Rogers CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key 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 call for 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 phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Colleges

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Rogers 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 may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what it takes to become 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 certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut school is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Rogers CT colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school 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 several benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Rogers CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist 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 any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references 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 agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Rogers CT area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Rogers 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 below these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the Connecticut schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Rogers CT healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Rogers CT healthcare community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Rogers CT, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you need to ready some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you as well as the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't try to memorize an answer, but take down several ideas and talking points that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy College near Rogers CT

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a variety of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Training program options may vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Rogers CT.

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