Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Wallingford Connecticut

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Wallingford CT is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare each of the training alternatives that are available to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In reality, most potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional 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 you need to remember 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 need to be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick 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 Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Wallingford CT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Wallingford CT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Wallingford CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Wallingford 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 prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type 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 school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about all of the Wallingford CT colleges you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior 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 obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Wallingford CT. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’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 essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also contact several Wallingford CT local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? 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 length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Wallingford CT phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Connecticut programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Wallingford CT medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Wallingford CT medical community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wallingford CT, make sure they are offered 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 sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you as well as the strengths you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Wallingford CT

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Wallingford CT.

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