Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Enfield Connecticut

Choosing the right phlebotomy technician school near Enfield CT is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. 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 classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main task, there is in fact far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be properly completed 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Enfield CT phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The quickest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and varied, such as Enfield CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a certain type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Enfield CT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the primary 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 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 choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Enfield CT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain 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.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Connecticut campus is important in addition to the cost of tuition. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. Each of these decisions are an important component of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you need to ask about each of the Enfield CT programs you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges in Enfield CT. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Enfield CT area hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? First, contact 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 Enfield CT phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the Connecticut schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Enfield CT medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Enfield CT health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final school you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Enfield CT, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not only the personal reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and skills you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of general interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the work appeals to you in addition to the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but write down a few concepts and topics that pertain to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomist Program near Enfield CT

Making sure that you select the right phlebotomy training is a critical 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. Phlebotomist training programs are available in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program options can vary slightly from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Enfield CT.

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