Picking a Phlebotomy Training Program near Pittsfield New Hampshire

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Pittsfield NH is a critical first step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a quality education. In reality, many prospective students begin their search by considering two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating 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 as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Pittsfield NH phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest answer is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Pittsfield NH hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Pittsfield NH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the key 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 in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

First, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Pittsfield NH healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-practical portion of the training may be accessed online, it may be a more practical option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Hampshire campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for selecting a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the Pittsfield NH schools you are looking at prior to making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed prior to working 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 fulfills the state specific requirements for New Hampshire or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you choose should be accredited by a respected 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 a guarantee of a premium education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, 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 Pittsfield NH. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. 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 graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even check with a few Pittsfield NH local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the New Hampshire school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? To begin with, contact the New Hampshire regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Pittsfield NH phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the New Hampshire programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on clinical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Pittsfield NH health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pittsfield NH health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Pittsfield NH, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up procedure is should you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomist?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you may be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What drove you to choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not only the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what qualities and talents you have that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions relating exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you should prepare several approaches about how you would like to answer them. Given that there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a number of ways. When formulating an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an exceptional Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Find the Ideal Phlebotomy School near Pittsfield NH

Making certain that you pick the right phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a wide range of educational institutes, such as junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Course options can differ slightly across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. 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 training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pittsfield NH.

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