Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near South Windham Connecticut

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near South Windham CT is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review 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 cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the point 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 can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of South Windham CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as South Windham CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a particular type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in South Windham CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically 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. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification before hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved South Windham 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-clinical portion of the training may be accessed online, it might 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 expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut campus is significant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the South Windham CT colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges in South Windham CT. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several South Windham CT area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact 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 classroom and practical. At a minimum, any South Windham 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 lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the Connecticut programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local South Windham CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the South Windham CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near South Windham CT, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to reflect on questions you could be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you want to answer them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near South Windham CT

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered 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 wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the best program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Windham CT.

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