Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Unionville Connecticut

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Unionville CT is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the training options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you get a superior education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your selection 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 reviewing to help you select the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point 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 screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Unionville CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Unionville CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw 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 samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Unionville CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few of the key certifying organizations 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Classes

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Unionville CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a basic understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking 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 Unionville CT programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Connecticut? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from 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 securing financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Unionville 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 College’s Reputation? In many states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Unionville CT local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Unionville CT phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish at least 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 expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Ask the Connecticut programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Unionville CT health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Unionville CT medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Unionville CT, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What compelled you to decide on Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what qualities and talents you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must prepare a number of approaches about how you would like to address them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal choice for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can assist you to develop your own concepts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the interviewer.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Program near Unionville CT

Making certain that you choose the right phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior school. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Unionville CT.

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