How to Enroll in the Right Phlebotomy Training Course near Southington Connecticut

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician training near Southington CT is an important initial step toward a fulfilling profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to analyze and compare each of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s important that you do your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another factor you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and should be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 continue our conversation about online training.

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Should You Go to School to Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

Right out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic answer is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will go into more depth later. So of course anyone who chooses this profession must be able to handle needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Southington CT medical facilities, well this job may not be the best choice for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomy Techs often work around anxious people who don’t like needles or having their blood drawn. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, nights and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect job for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Work Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their primary duty, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being utilized are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the point of collection through the laboratory screening process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many phlebotomists actually work in Southington CT laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as Southington CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific type of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. 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 different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest 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 normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program offer a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to get certified. While not required in the majority of states, many Southington CT employers require certification prior to hiring 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 a few states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Schools

First, let’s resolve one likely misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial 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. Numerous courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical part of the training may be attended online, it can be a more practical alternative for many Southington CT students. As an added benefit, many online colleges are more affordable than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can receive a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Southington CT in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an accredited online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Following are some questions that you should ask about all of the schools you are reviewing before making your final selection.

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

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam offered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are often not available for non-accredited schools. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Southington CT job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of all schools you are considering. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job assistance program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Southington CT clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in partnership with regional health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training frequently not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish relationships within the local Southington CT medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Available? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the programs you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Southington CT healthcare community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the ultimate school you pick offers classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is particularly true if you opt to still work while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Southington CT, make certain they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, confirm 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 find out what the make-up policy is should you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Phlebotomy College Southington CT

Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me Southington Connecticut

Making sure that you choose the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare career position. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy training programs are available in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course options may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you must carefully research and compare each school prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Technician Schools Near Me and to get more information regarding Vocational School For Phlebotomy.  However, by addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal phlebotomy school for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Southington CT.

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