Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Grafton New Hampshire

Picking the ideal phlebotomy training near Grafton NH is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a daunting undertaking to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. 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 Grafton NH phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Grafton NH medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Grafton NH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing 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 some states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, such as California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Grafton NH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical portion of the training may be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an added benefit, a number of online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you select is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the ideal choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Hampshire campus is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy program. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about each of the Grafton NH colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a recognized national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to an assurance of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Grafton NH. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with some Grafton NH area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Grafton NH phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the New Hampshire schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Grafton NH healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a large network of professional contacts within the Grafton NH health care community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you pick provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly true if you decide to continue working while going to college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Grafton NH, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. Among the questions that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of general interview questions, so you need to ready several approaches about how you would like to address them. Since there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't try to memorize a response, but take down several ideas and talking points that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample responses can help you to prepare your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the recruiter.

Find the Best Phlebotomy Program near Grafton NH

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a number of academic institutions, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide an extensive array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you need to carefully research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can pick the ideal program for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Grafton NH.

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