Choosing a Phlebotomy Course near Pittsfield Maine

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Pittsfield ME is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your decision process also. 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 select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed to be able 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 may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Pittsfield ME phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may 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 workplaces are many and varied, such as Pittsfield ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Pittsfield ME, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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, such as Nevada and California. 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 certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Pittsfield 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are less expensive than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be minimized also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already selected 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 Maine school is important 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 process for selecting 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 Pittsfield ME programs you are looking at before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you select should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Pittsfield ME. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Pittsfield ME local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can provide 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 schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient 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. At a minimum, any Pittsfield ME phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Maine schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training frequently not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Pittsfield ME health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pittsfield ME medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to confirm that the final college you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you choose to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pittsfield ME, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to review questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you must ready several strategies about how you would like to answer them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Pittsfield ME

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be available in a number of educational institutions, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best program for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pittsfield ME.

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