Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Wood River Junction Rhode Island

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Wood River Junction RI is an essential initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging undertaking to investigate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In fact, most students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the ideal one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being used are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some Wood River Junction RI phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making sure that samples are tested correctly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and varied, including Wood River Junction RI hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 drawing blood from mothers and newborns exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists 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.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that offer phlebotomist training in Wood River Junction RI, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in most states, most employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the main 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomist training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved Wood River Junction RI healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenses, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional 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 disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 Rhode Island campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about all of the Wood River Junction RI schools you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Rhode Island or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, 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 securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Wood River Junction RI. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective 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 essential to check out the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can start by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Wood River Junction RI local hospitals or clinics that you may have an interest in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Rhode Island school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Rhode Island 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. At a minimum, any Wood River Junction RI phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internships Included? Find out from the Rhode Island programs you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students develop contacts within the local Wood River Junction RI medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Finding your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Wood River Junction RI medical community.

Are Class Times Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to make sure that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Wood River Junction RI, make sure they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure 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 completed within your schedule. And ask what the make-up protocol is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomist position, it's a good idea to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you decide on Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of general interview questions, so you should organize several approaches about how you want to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into selecting a career, you can respond to this fundamental question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the abilities you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomy Technician and the leading choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but write down some ideas and anecdotes that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and provide ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist Program near Wood River Junction RI

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be found in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it pertains to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully evaluate 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 options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Wood River Junction RI.

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