Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Strafford New Hampshire

Selecting the ideal phlebotomist school near Strafford NH is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, many students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process as well. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their primary task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork needs to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Strafford NH phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Strafford NH medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a specific type of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Strafford NH, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a general education along 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, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not mandated in most states, many employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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, including Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Strafford 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-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, for instance those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

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 type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the New Hampshire college is important in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Strafford NH colleges you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to New Hampshire? As earlier discussed, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. 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 exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Strafford NH. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with a few Strafford NH local hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the New Hampshire school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Enough 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Strafford NH phlebotomy program that you are looking at should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the New Hampshire schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Strafford NH medical community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Strafford NH health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the ultimate program you select offers classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Strafford NH, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. Among the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech prospects is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to uncover is not just the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you need to prepare some ideas about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this fundamental question in a multitude of ways. When preparing an answer, attempt to include the reasons the work appeals to you along with the strengths you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Tech and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down some ideas and topics that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to impress the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near Strafford NH

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is a critical first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are found in a wide range of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can vary a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each program before making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Strafford NH.

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