Picking a Phlebotomist Training Program near Hanover New Hampshire

Selecting the right phlebotomy school near Hanover NH is a critical initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most prospective students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you might 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 much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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 Hanover NH phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are tested properly under the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, such as Hanover NH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting 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, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 kinds of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Hanover NH, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to finish and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the principal certifying agencies 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, including California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a premium education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Colleges

To start with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Hanover 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-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy program you select 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 approach to learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then earning your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the New Hampshire campus is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomist online school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about each of the Hanover NH programs you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Hampshire? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Hanover NH. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact some Hanover NH area clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the New Hampshire school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Provided? To begin with, contact the New Hampshire 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 clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Hanover NH phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Included? Ask the New Hampshire programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training typically not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Hanover NH healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Finding your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Hanover NH medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly true if you choose to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hanover NH, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend 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 as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to reflect on questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomist applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not only the personal reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare some ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a variety of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the job. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the interviewer.

Select the Ideal Phlebotomist College near Hanover NH

Making sure that you pick the ideal phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling healthcare career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Course offerings may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final choice. By addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Hanover NH.

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