Top Drawing Blood Education Near Me Pittsfield ME

How to Pick the Right Phlebotomy Training Classes near Pittsfield Maine

Pittsfield ME phlebotomist drawing blood from patientChoosing the right phlebotomy training near Pittsfield ME is an important first step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you get a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start their search by considering two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a local campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to keep in mind is that there is much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than finding the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you choose the best one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online training.

Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?

blood analysis performed in Pittsfield ME labRight out of the gate, not many people probably know what a phlebotomy tech or phlebotomist is. The basic definition is a health care professional who draws blood from patients. We will provide more details later. So of course anyone who selects this profession must be OK around needles and blood. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other Pittsfield ME medical facilities, well this job probably is not the best choice for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs routinely work with anxious people who don’t like needles or having a blood sample taken. And because many medical facilities are open 24 hours, you may be required to work weekends, evenings and even on holidays. But if you can handle the hours and the blood and needles, and if you enjoy interacting with people and are patient and compassionate, this may be the right job for you.

Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!

Phlebotomist Career Description

Pittsfield ME phlebotomist holding blood sampleA phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. Although that is their primary function, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork has to be correctly completed 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in Pittsfield ME laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The easiest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Pittsfield ME hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

Pittsfield ME phlebotomy tech drawing bloodThere are essentially two types of programs that offer phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and offers a basic education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. After you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not required in most states, many Pittsfield ME employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. A few of the main 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, such as Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomy Online Classes

Pittsfield ME student attending online phlebotomy classesTo start with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. A large number of courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-clinical component of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more convenient option for many Pittsfield ME students. As an additional benefit, a number of online programs are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenses, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist college you enroll in is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a premium education with this means of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online may be the best option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

What to ask Pittsfield ME phlebotomy schoolsNow that you have a basic understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already selected the type of program you wish 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 Pittsfield ME as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online school. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a phlebotomy school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the schools you are looking at prior to making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed before working as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Maine or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you enroll in 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a quality education. To begin with, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently not available for non-accredited programs. Last, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the Pittsfield ME job market.

What is the Program’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal 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 out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they refer their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to several Pittsfield ME clinics or hospitals that you might have an interest in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can contact the Maine school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with 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 phlebotomy program that you are considering should furnish at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with local medical facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Pittsfield ME health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a substantial network of professional contacts within the Pittsfield ME health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s crucial to confirm that the final college you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is especially important if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Pittsfield ME, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. And 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 procedure is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

What Does A Phlebotomy Technician Do Pittsfield ME

Top Drawing Blood Education Near Me Pittsfield Maine

Making sure that you enroll in the ideal phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may vary somewhat across the country as each state has its own criteria when it pertains to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each school before making your ultimate decision. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Top Drawing Blood Education Near Me and to get more information regarding Phlebotomy Schools.  However, by addressing the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best phlebotomy college for you. And with the appropriate training, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Pittsfield ME.

More Maine Bloody Wonderful Locations

  • Affordable Drawing Blood Courses Detroit ME
  • Best Phlebotomy Colleges Near Me Searsport ME
  • Best Drawing Blood Training Troy ME
  • Best Phlebotomist Schools Near Me South Gardiner ME
  • Affordable Phlebotomy Tech Training Near Me Falmouth ME
  • Affordable Drawing Blood Courses Near Me East Boothbay ME
  • Low Cost Phlebotomy Tech Programs Lubec ME
  • Top Phlebotomy Tech Programs Princeton ME
  • Top Phlebotomy Technician Associates Degrees Near Me Orrs Island ME
  • Low Cost Phlebotomy Programs Garland ME
  •  

     

     

    Pittsfield, Maine

    Pittsfield is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,215 at the 2010 census. Pittsfield is home to the Maine Central Institute, a private boarding school, and the annual Central Maine Egg Festival.

    The area was part of the Kennebec Purchase. First called Plymouth Gore, it was settled in 1794 by Moses Martin and his family from Norridgewock. In 1815, the town was organized as the Plantation of Sebasticook, but was incorporated on June 18, 1819 as Warsaw after Warsaw, Poland. In 1824, the name was changed to Pittsfield after William Pitts of Boston, a large landowner.[4]

    Pittsfield was noted for fine orchards, and became an agricultural trade center. Water power from the Sebasticook River attracted industry, and a gristmill and sawmill were built at the falls. Blacksmith shops and a carriage shop were established. In 1855, the Penobscot and Kennebec Railroad arrived, and Pittsfield developed into a small mill town. In 1869, the first woolen mill was established. The Riverside Woolen Company was the first mill in the state to sell cloth direct from loom to wearer. Fire destroyed the downtown in 1881, but it was soon rebuilt. Woodworking plants and a canning factory were established. The Waverly Woolen Mill was built in 1891–1892, together with 52 dwellings the company rented to workers. Pittsfield was also home to the Sebasticook and the Pioneer woolen mills.[5]

     

     

    Business Results 1 - 10 of 0