Picking a Phlebotomy Technician School near Cos Cob Connecticut

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy training near Cos Cob CT is an important first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, many students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area 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 checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select 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 schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Job Description

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 has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Cos Cob CT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and varied, including Cos Cob CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. 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 phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility 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 exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomy training in Cos Cob CT, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they usually take 2 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 probably want to be certified. While not required in most states, a number of employers look for certification before employing 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 several states that do call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Cos Cob 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 in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training can be attended online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy school 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 quality education with this approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the ideal choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Connecticut school is important as well as the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you should ask about each of the Cos Cob CT colleges you are considering before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school 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 sit for a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools in Cos Cob CT. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. 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 research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also check with several Cos Cob CT local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Connecticut regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Cos Cob CT phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Connecticut schools you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Cos Cob CT medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Cos Cob CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Cos Cob CT, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you may be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but take down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomy College near Cos Cob CT

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of educational institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to thoroughly research and compare each program before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Cos Cob CT.

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