How to Select the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Lebanon Connecticut

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Lebanon CT is an essential initial step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a superior education. In fact, many potential students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional option you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to an area campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to 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 continue our conversation about online training.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Train to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a health care professional whose job is to draw blood. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who decides to enter this profession must be OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Lebanon CT medical facilities, well this profession probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Technicians often work around nervous people who hate needles or having their blood drawn. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be expected to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you don’t mind working with the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this could be the perfect job for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be properly 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 laboratory 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Lebanon CT labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are many and diverse, including Lebanon CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a particular type of patient. For example, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from elderly patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and offers a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will include training to become a phlebotomist. Available at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Lebanon CT employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some 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 several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it could be a more practical alternative for many Lebanon CT students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be minimized as well. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist school you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is significant if you will be commuting from Lebanon CT as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist college. Each of these decisions are an important part of the process for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the programs you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Connecticut? As mentioned previously, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school 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 many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Lebanon CT job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, 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 schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Lebanon CT clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can provide any insights. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Sufficient Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the colleges you are reviewing if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Lebanon CT health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school 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 Lebanon CT medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you pick provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to still work while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Lebanon CT, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. 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 procedure is in case you need to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

What Is Phlebotomy Training Lebanon CT

Phlebotomy Night Classes Near Me Lebanon Connecticut

Making certain that you pick the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential 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 premium college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a wide range of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully screen and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Night Classes Near Me and to get more information regarding How Do I Become A Phlebotomist.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the right phlebotomist college for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Lebanon CT.

More Connecticut Bloody Wonderful Locations

How Can I Become A Phlebotomist New Hartford CT

Best Phlebotomy Schools Near Me Waterford CT

Summer Phlebotomy Programs Greenwich CT

Blood Drawing Classes Riverside CT

Drawing Blood Career Bolton CT

Low Cost Phlebotomy Training Clinton CT

How Much Does Phlebotomy School Cost Meriden CT

Study Phlebotomy Broad Brook CT

Blood Drawing Course Farmington CT

Phlebotomy Training School Dayville CT