Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Exeter Maine

Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Exeter ME is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Exeter ME phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Exeter ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Exeter ME, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Exeter ME 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-practical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important component of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Exeter ME programs you are considering before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Maine? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited colleges in Exeter ME. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Exeter ME area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, contact the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Exeter ME phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Maine colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Exeter ME medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Exeter ME healthcare community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Exeter ME, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. 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 find out what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not only the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some ideas about how you would like to answer them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the perfiect candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can help you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomy Course near Exeter ME

Making sure that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutions, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly from state to state as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Exeter ME.

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