Rhode Island Archives - Train to Become a Phlebotomist

Choosing a Phlebotomist Training Course near Riverside Rhode Island

Riverside RI phlebotomist taking blood sample Choosing the ideal phlebotomy technician training near Riverside RI is a critical initial step toward a fulfilling career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In fact, a large number of potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you may look into is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is much more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomist schools you are considering to help you choose the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then continue our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

Riverside RI phlebotomist holding blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to confirm that the instruments being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Afterward, paperwork has to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing process. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it can be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some phlebotomists in fact work in Riverside RI area labs and are in charge of making sure that samples are tested properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

Riverside RI diagnostic lab blood analysis The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are many and diverse, such as Riverside RI medical clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would exclusively be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

Riverside RI phlebotomy lab There are essentially two types of programs that furnish phlebotomy training, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and provides a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It offers the fastest method 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at Riverside RI junior and community colleges, they normally take 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. Although not required in the majority of states, many Riverside RI employers look for certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 several states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, such as Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a quality education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomy Certificates and Degrees

attending phlebotomy training classes online in Riverside RI To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved healthcare facility or an on-campus lab. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more practical option for many Riverside RI students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program 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 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.

Topics to Ask Phlebotomy Schools

Now that you have a general understanding about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen 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 school is significant as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online college. All of these decisions are an important part of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the sole considerations when making your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Riverside RI schools you are considering before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Rhode Island? As previously mentioned, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states call for certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomist program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Rhode Island or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any exams you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional 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 in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more attractive to prospective employers in the Riverside RI job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy colleges, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check the reputations of any schools you are reviewing. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they refer their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews also. You can even talk to some Riverside RI clinics or hospitals that you may have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Rhode Island school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Plenty of Training Included? First, contact the state regulator where you will be practicing 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 looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything lower than these minimums might signify that the Riverside RI training program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Included? Find out from the schools you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with Riverside RI healthcare facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop relationships within the local Riverside health care community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Offered? Landing your first phlebotomy position will be much easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Riverside RI health care community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final program you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Riverside RI, make sure they are available at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, make sure it is an option as well. And if you have decided to study online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Considering Phlebotomy Training near Riverside RI?

Riverside, Rhode Island

Riverside is a suburban neighborhood of Providence. Adjoining Riverside are the town of Barrington in Bristol County to the south, Narragansett Bay to the west, the rest of East Providence to the north, and the Runnins River and Seekonk, Massachusetts to the east.

Riverside most notably became a tourist attraction in the late 19th and early 20th century due to the presence of Crescent Park Amusement Park, known as the “Coney Island of the East”. The 50 acre park operated from 1886 until 1979, and was famous for its Rhode Island Shore Dinners as well as the Alhambra Ballroom, where famous Big Bands played, and the bustling midway which included roller coasters, kiddie land, rides and games. Although the park in now gone, the famous 1895 Crescent Park Looff Carousel has been preserved and continues in operation every summer. The Carousel is nationally recognized as a true masterpiece of wood sculpture. Originally built as a showcase for prospective buyers, it is the largest and most elaborate of Looff's works.[2]

Many hotels, guest houses and shore dinner halls operated in Riverside in the late 19th century to accommodate the influx of summer visitors escaping the big city. Also available were several tent sites like Camp White and Camp Fuller. The Vue de l'Eau Hotel was built around 1860. The four-story Riverside Hotel boasted its own wharf and a huge ballroom overlooking the bay. After a few years, it was dismantled and shipped by barge to Nantucket. Pomham House opened in 1867 with its own wharf. The popular Silver Spring Hotel was opened two years later by developer, Hiram Maxfield. In addition to the hotel, it included a shore dinner hall and summer cottages.

The Lyric Theater opened on Maple Avenue around 1920 and featured silent movies until 1928 when the theater became the second in the state to have talking pictures. Later named the Gilbert Stuart, it eventually closed as a theater. The Riverside Girl Scout House on Willett Avenue, built around 1870, is the oldest school still standing in East Providence. It was known as District 6 Schoolhouse.

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Find the Ideal Phlebotomist Training Program near Riverside RI

Making sure that you pick the most suitable phlebotomy training is a critical first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a number of academic institutes, such as junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may vary slightly across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Riverside RI.