How to Pick the Right Phlebotomist School near South Burlington Vermont
Picking the right phlebotomy technician school near South Burlington VT is an essential initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are available to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you receive a quality education. In fact, most potential students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend online classes or commute to an area campus. We’ll review more about online classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is a lot more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and must be part of your selection process also. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing 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 classes.
Request Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Should You Become a Phlebotomy Tech?
Right out of the gate, not many 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 selects this profession must be able to handle blood and needles. And if you are anxious in hospitals or other South Burlington VT medical environments, well this profession probably is not right for you. And then there are the patients. Phlebotomy Techs tend to work with anxious people who don’t like 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 don’t mind working with the needles and blood, and if you enjoy helping people and are compassionate and very patient, this could be the perfect profession for you.
Click Here to Get Free Information on Phlebotomy Training Near You!
Phlebotomy Technician Job Description
A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to confirm that the tools being used are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be accurately labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork must be properly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing 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 pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some phlebotomists actually work in South Burlington VT laboratories and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested properly using the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.
Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?
The easiest answer is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and varied, such as South Burlington VT medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or toddlers to seniors. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a certain kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomists working in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with different patients each day.
Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing
There are primarily two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally takes under a year to complete and furnishes a general education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. When you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not required in the majority of states, a number of South Burlington VT employers require certification prior to hiring technicians. Some of the key 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 phlebotomy tech, like California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you enroll in a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.
Online Phlebotomy Training
To begin with, let’s dispel one possible mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility. A large number of courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical part of the training can be accessed online, it may be a more convenient alternative for some South Burlington VT students. As an added benefit, a number of online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy school you enroll in is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the best choice for you.
Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools
Since you now have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already decided on the kind of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the college is significant if you will be commuting from South Burlington VT in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an accredited phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the process for selecting a phlebotomy program or school. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the programs you are considering before making your final selection.
Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of practical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that complies with the state specific requirements for Vermont or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.
Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools. Finally, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the South Burlington VT job market.
What is the Program’s Reputation? In many states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools 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 research online school rating and review services and solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can even check with several South Burlington VT clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Vermont school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
Is Sufficient Training Included? First, check with the state regulator where you will be practicing to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any phlebotomy program that you are looking at should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything below these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish adequate training.
Are Internships Provided? Ask the schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the ideal way to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local South Burlington VT health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.
Is Job Placement Support Offered? Getting your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the help of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the South Burlington VT healthcare community.
Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to verify that the final school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you decide to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near South Burlington VT, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the practical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.
Phlebotomy School Online South Burlington VT
Phlebotomy Classes Online South Burlington Vermont
Making certain that you enroll in the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program options may differ somewhat from state to state as each state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomist training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you need to diligently research and compare each college prior to making your ultimate selection. You originally came to this website due to an interest in Phlebotomy Classes Online and to get more information regarding Accredited Phlebotomy Programs Near Me. However, by asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your options so that you can select the right phlebotomist program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Burlington VT.
More Vermont Bloody Wonderful Locations
South Burlington, Vermont
South Burlington is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2010 U.S. Census the population of the city was 17,904.[4] It is home to the headquarters of Ben & Jerry's and Vermont's largest mall, the University Mall. It is also one in the principal municipalities of the Burlington, Vermont metropolitan area.
The town of Burlington was organized around 1785. In 1865, the unincorporated village of Burlington was chartered as a city. The remaining area of the town came to be organized as a separate town with the name South Burlington in the same year, 1865.[6] The town of South Burlington was later incorporated as a city in 1971.
The City Center Initiative is a proposal to create a walkable downtown for the City of South Burlington. The public is investing in infrastructure to support gathering spaces, mobility and economic vitality. public infrastructure.[7] The over 300 acre area targeted to be developed and redeveloped is zoned for mixed-use including residential, commercial, and cultural spaces. The main components under design or construction by the City are a city hall, senior center and public library, streets and parks. Two main streets, Market Street and Garden Street, will be constructed and/or reconstructed to form the central routes through "City Center". These streets will be outfitted with bicycle and walking facilities, lined with trees, and include stormwater infiltration surfaces. Along these streets will be mixed-use buildings primarily for use by lower-level retail and upper-level residential units. In addition, a 7+ acre plot has been redeveloped as a public park, with walking paths through a forest, a children's discovery area, and natural art landmarks.[8]
Business Results 1 - 10 of 2
19 Reviews 
1 Reviews 