How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Tech Training Course near Andover Connecticut

Enrolling in the right phlebotomist training near Andover CT is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are available to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online training.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

First of all, few people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short 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 able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Andover CT medical facilities, well this job may not be right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work around anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open around the clock, you may be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomist Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their principal duty, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must verify that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample needs to be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Some phlebotomists actually work in Andover CT labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The easiest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, such as Andover CT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home 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 setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily two types of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest route to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training to become a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, a number of Andover CT employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the primary certifying organizations 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 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 select a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Training

First, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical part of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical alternative for some Andover CT students. As an additional benefit, a number of online colleges are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the type of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is relevant if you will be commuting from Andover CT in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about all of the colleges you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Connecticut? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut 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 program and school you select should be accredited by a respected national or regional 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 superior education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are frequently not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to future employers in the Andover CT job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to investigate the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. 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 ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Andover CT clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? First, contact 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. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Andover CT health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Andover CT health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active lifestyle. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Andover CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me Andover CT

Blood Draw School Andover Connecticut

Making sure that you choose the ideal phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be available in a variety of educational institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may differ somewhat from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your final selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Blood Draw School and to get more information regarding Evening Phlebotomy Classes.  However, by asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomist school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Andover CT.

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