How to Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Bolton Connecticut

Choosing the right phlebotomy training near Bolton CT is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare each of the school alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our conversation about online training.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who chooses this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Bolton CT medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists routinely work with nervous people who hate needles or having their blood taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably be required to work weekends, evenings 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.

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Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal function, there is in fact far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample needs to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be accurately completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then delivers the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of phlebotomists actually work in Bolton CT laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are analyzed correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Bolton CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Training, Certification and Licensing

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It provides the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to get certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, a number of Bolton CT employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the principal 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a premium education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant portion of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Numerous courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical component of the training may be accessed online, it could be a more convenient alternative for some Bolton CT students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenses, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make certain that the online phlebotomist program you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your certificate or degree online might be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become 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 degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the college is important if you will be commuting from Bolton CT as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about all of the programs you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while some others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you enroll in should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, 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 organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the Bolton CT job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can screen online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can also talk to some Bolton CT clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any insights. As a final thought, you can check with the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, contact the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Bolton CT health care 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 help of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Bolton CT health care community.

Are Classes Available as Needed? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bolton CT, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure 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 find out what the make-up policy is in case you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy Certification Training Bolton CT

Drawing Blood Career Bolton Connecticut

Making certain that you pick the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options can differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to carefully screen and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Drawing Blood Career and to get more information regarding One Day Phlebotomy Class.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the ideal phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Bolton CT.

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