Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Bethlehem New Hampshire

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Bethlehem NH is an essential first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll talk more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online schools.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Bethlehem NH phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly utilizing the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including Bethlehem NH medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Bethlehem NH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic 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 exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification before employing technicians. A few of the main certifying organizations include:

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

There are a few states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only supplies a quality education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

First, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good part of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Bethlehem NH 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 portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some costs, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Hampshire campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Bethlehem NH colleges you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be working and prepares you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited schools in Bethlehem NH. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also contact several Bethlehem NH area hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, check with the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Bethlehem NH phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New Hampshire programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Bethlehem NH healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Bethlehem NH healthcare community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate program you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is particularly important if you opt to still work while going to college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Bethlehem NH, make sure they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician position, it's important to review questions you could be asked. One of the things that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what attributes and abilities you have that make you exceptional at your profession. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of routine interview questions, so you should organize a number of ideas about how you would like to address them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work interests you along with the talents you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the ideal candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down a few concepts and topics that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to enthuse the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomy Course near Bethlehem NH

Making certain that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be found in a number of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options can differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your final decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bethlehem NH.

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