Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Cambridge Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomist training near Cambridge ME is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area 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 finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out to be able 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 may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Cambridge ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Cambridge ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from senior 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 environment would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Cambridge ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the main certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Cambridge ME 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-practical part of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when making your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Cambridge ME colleges you are reviewing prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy 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. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist 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 a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Cambridge ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact some Cambridge ME area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Cambridge ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Maine programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Cambridge ME medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Finding your first phlebotomist job will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Cambridge ME healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Cambridge ME, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to reflect on questions you may be asked. Among the questions that interviewers often ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but take down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomist Course near Cambridge ME

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Cambridge ME.

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