Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Machias Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomist school near Machias ME is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, most students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Another option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Machias ME phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Machias ME medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns 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 on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Machias ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will probably want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Machias ME healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a premium education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

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 may have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Maine college is relevant in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the Machias ME programs you are reviewing before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Maine? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need 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 Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited programs in Machias ME. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even talk to a few Machias ME area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Maine school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Maine regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Machias ME phlebotomist 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 below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Maine colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to get hands-on practical training frequently not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Machias ME medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Machias ME health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to confirm that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Machias ME, check that 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 attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you have that make you good at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of general interview questions, so you must organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several variables that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Machias ME

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive assortment of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Machias ME.

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