Choosing a Phlebotomist Course near Westport Connecticut

Picking the ideal phlebotomist school near Westport CT is an essential first step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should 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 discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Westport CT phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, including Westport CT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Westport CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education along 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. Although not required in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Westport CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut school is relevant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about each of the Westport CT schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Westport CT. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any schools you are considering. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with some Westport CT area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? First, 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. As a minimum, any Westport CT phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Connecticut colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Westport CT healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Westport CT medical community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Westport CT, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to consider questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are numerous variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to prepare your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Westport CT

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are found in a variety of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Westport CT.

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