Picking a Phlebotomy School near Stafford Springs Connecticut

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician training near Stafford Springs CT is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to assess and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of potential students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing 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 continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Stafford Springs CT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The most basic answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, such as Stafford Springs CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Stafford Springs CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Stafford Springs 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online colleges are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate 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 college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Stafford Springs CT colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Connecticut? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages 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 exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in Stafford Springs CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Stafford Springs CT area clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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. At a minimum, any Stafford Springs CT phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Connecticut programs you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Stafford Springs CT healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Stafford Springs CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Stafford Springs CT, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. 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 find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you might be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize several strategies about how you would like to address them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you in addition to the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Stafford Springs 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 discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can vary slightly across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Stafford Springs CT.

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