How to Choose the Right Phlebotomy Technician Training Course near Northford Connecticut

Picking the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Northford CT is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to analyze and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, a large number of prospective students start the process by looking at 2 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 local 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 far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards resume our discussion about online training.

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Should You Choose a Career as a Phlebotomy Tech?

First of all, few people are likely to know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The short answer is a medical professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So naturally anyone who decides to enter this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are not comfortable in hospitals or other Northford CT medical facilities, well this job probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work with nervous people who hate needles or having a blood sample drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be expected to work weekends, evenings and, you guessed it even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the perfect profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary task, there is actually much more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be accurately filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening 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 phlebotomists in fact work in Northford CT labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are tested correctly using the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they can be asked to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Work?

The easiest response is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as Northford CT hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest route 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many Northford CT employers look for certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

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

There are a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also prepares you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

To begin with, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t get 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 on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training may be attended online, it may be a more practical option for some Northford CT students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist school you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can receive a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomist Colleges

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You may have already decided on 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 significant if you will be commuting from Northford CT in addition to the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the process for picking a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be working and readies you for all examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited colleges. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the Northford CT job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important 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 assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Northford CT hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? To begin with, contact 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 phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with area health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Northford CT medical community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the colleges you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the school has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Northford CT healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the ultimate school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy lifestyle. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Northford CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study 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 should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Become A Phlebotomist Northford CT

How Long Does It Take To Become A Phlebotomist Northford Connecticut

Making sure that you select the most suitable phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a comprehensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Program options can vary slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college prior to making your ultimate choice. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Long Does It Take To Become A Phlebotomist and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Community College.  However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right phlebotomy program for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Northford CT.

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