Choosing a Phlebotomist School near Bakersfield Vermont

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy school near Bakersfield VT is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, a large number of potential students start the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Job Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be correctly completed in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Bakersfield VT phlebotomists actually work in labs and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and varied, such as Bakersfield VT medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. 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 exclusively be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically 2 types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Bakersfield VT, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and furnishes a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in most states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main certifying organizations include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

To start with, let’s resolve one potential misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the course of study will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Bakersfield VT healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient option for some students. As an added benefit, some online schools are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can receive a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Vermont school is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for choosing a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about all of the Bakersfield VT programs you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Vermont or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited programs in Bakersfield VT. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any 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 research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can also talk to a few Bakersfield VT local clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Vermont school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Provided? First, check with the Vermont regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Bakersfield VT phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide sufficient training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the Vermont programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the optimal means to receive hands-on practical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Bakersfield VT healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at offer 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 an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Bakersfield VT healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s important to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Bakersfield VT, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. 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 ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Desire to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomist job, it's important to consider questions you may be asked. Among the questions that recruiters typically ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not merely the private reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and abilities you possess that make you good at what you do. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should ready a number of ideas about how you would like to respond to them. Given that there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Technician and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but write down some concepts and topics that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Reviewing sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Find the Best Phlebotomist School near Bakersfield VT

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomist training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a variety of educational institutions, 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 slightly from state to state as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program before making your ultimate choice. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can pick the ideal school for you. And with the appropriate training, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bakersfield VT.

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