How Do I Become A Phlebotomist Thompson CT - Phlebotomist Training Schools

How to Select the Best Phlebotomist School near Thompson Connecticut

Thompson CT phlebotomist drawing blood from patient Choosing the ideal phlebotomy training near Thompson CT is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult task to assess and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a superior education. In fact, many potential students start their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process also. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our conversation about online schools.

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Should You Become a Phlebotomy Technician?

blood analysis performed in Thompson CT lab First of all, not many people are likely to know what a phlebotomist or phlebotomy technician is. The basic definition 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 OK around blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Thompson CT medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And now let’s talk about the patients. Phlebotomists tend to work around anxious people who hate needles or having a blood sample taken. And because most health care facilities are open 24 hours, you will probably 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 helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this may be the right profession for you.

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Phlebotomy Tech Career Description

Thompson CT phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, 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 needs to verify that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Thompson CT laboratories and are accountable for making sure that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be asked to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Thompson CT hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting blood from a particular kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would solely be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

Thompson CT phlebotomy tech drawing blood There are primarily two types of programs that offer phlebotomy training, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes under a year to complete and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides 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 include training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not mandated in most states, many Thompson CT employers require certification prior to employing 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Colleges

Thompson CT student attending online phlebotomy classes To start with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be carried out either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. Many courses also require completion of an internship prior to graduation. But since the non-practical component of the training can be accessed online, it might be a more convenient option for some Thompson CT students. As an added benefit, a number of online classes are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online might be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

What to ask Thompson CT phlebotomy schools Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already decided on the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the school is important if you will be commuting from Thompson CT in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for choosing a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum hours of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Connecticut or the state where you will be practicing and prepares you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a reputable 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 program in addition to an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited programs. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the Thompson CT job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In many 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 essential to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. 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 screen internet school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also check with a few Thompson CT clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and see if they can provide any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Connecticut school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any phlebotomist program that you are looking at should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Find out from the schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Thompson CT healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Assistance Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Thompson CT health care community.

Are Classes Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final program you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Thompson CT, make certain they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is in case you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Phlebotomist Education And Training Thompson CT

How Do I Become A Phlebotomist Thompson Connecticut

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that go into the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs can be offered in a number of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in How Do I Become A Phlebotomist and to get more information regarding Find Phlebotomy Programs. However, by addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best phlebotomist program for you. And with the proper training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Thompson CT.

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Thompson, Connecticut

Thompson is a rural town in Windham County, Connecticut, United States. The town was named after Sir Robert Thompson, an English landholder.[1] The population was 9,458 at the 2010 census.[2] Thompson is located in the northeastern corner of the state and is bordered on the north by Webster, Massachusetts and Dudley, Massachusetts, on the east by Douglas, Massachusetts and Burrillville, Rhode Island, on the west by Woodstock, Connecticut, and on the south by Putnam, Connecticut.

Thompson has the highest-banked race track (Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, a 5/8 mile oval and a restored 1.7 mile road course) in New England. This speedway holds one of the biggest race programs in New England, The World Series of Auto Racing, where 16 divisions and about 400 cars show up each fall. Another claim to fame is that the Tri-State Marker is located just on the border of Thompson. The term "Swamp Yankee" is thought to have originated in Thompson during the American Revolution in 1776.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 48.7 square miles (126 km2), of which 46.9 square miles (121 km2) is land and 1.7 square miles (4.4 km2), or 3.51%, is water. Thompson possesses many small ponds, such as Little Pond and Long Pond, as well as two principal lakes: West Thompson Lake and Quaddick Reservoir. Contained within its borders are several moderately sized rivers, including the French River and Five Mile River, both tributaries of the Quinebaug River, which also runs through Thompson. One of the highest points in Thompson and the surrounding villages is Fort Hill at 649 feet (198 m) above sea level. The city is located 64 miles southwest of Boston [3]and 110 miles northeast of Bridgeport.[4] It is on the 41st parallel north, putting it on the same latitude as Lake Ohrid in Albania.