Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Sandy Hook Connecticut

Picking the right phlebotomist school near Sandy Hook CT is an essential first step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare each of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many potential students begin the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Sandy Hook CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The most basic answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and diverse, including Sandy Hook CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Sandy Hook CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

To start with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Sandy Hook CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online classes are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already selected the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you should ask about each of the Sandy Hook CT colleges you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Sandy Hook CT. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with several Sandy Hook CT area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Provided? To begin with, check with 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 Sandy Hook CT phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Connecticut colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local Sandy Hook CT health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Sandy Hook CT medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to verify that the ultimate college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Sandy Hook CT, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And 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 should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's advantageous to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, along with a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should organize some ideas about how you want to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down a few concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist Program near Sandy Hook CT

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each college before 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 right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Sandy Hook CT.

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