Selecting a Phlebotomy Course near Concord Massachusetts

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy technician school near Concord MA is a critical first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the training options that are accessible to you. Nevertheless it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to ensure that you get a quality education. In fact, many prospective students begin their search by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. An additional option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a local campus. We’ll talk a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other factors such as accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you pick the ideal one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s data. Next, paperwork must be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be tested for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. A number of Concord MA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed correctly using the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient responsibilities, they may be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomy Techs Employed?

The most basic response is wherever there are patients. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Concord MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to draw blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be drawing blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Education, Certification and Licensing

There are essentially two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Concord MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program typically takes under a year to finish and offers a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest method to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomy degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most 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 some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you select a phlebotomy training program that not only provides a premium education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomist Training

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Concord MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Numerous courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training may be attended online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, many online programs are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you select is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are disciplined enough to learn at home, then obtaining your degree or certificate online might be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a general understanding about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts college is significant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an phlebotomist online college. All of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Concord MA schools you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Massachusetts? As earlier discussed, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may have to pass a State Board, licensing or certification exam. Therefore it’s very important to select a phlebotomy program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and readies you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomist program and school you pick should be accredited by a respected regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a premium education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification examination administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in getting loans or financial assistance, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Concord MA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In numerous states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomist schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check the reputations of any colleges you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school reviews and rating services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact a few Concord MA area hospitals or clinics that you might have an interest in working for and ask if they can provide any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in total compliance.

Is Enough Training Included? First, check with the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Concord MA phlebotomy program that you are considering should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal way to get hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Concord MA health care community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Available? Landing your first phlebotomist position will be much easier with the support of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are reviewing offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Concord MA medical community.

Are Classes Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s important to make sure that the final college you choose provides classes at times that will accommodate your active schedule. This is especially important if you opt to still work while going to school. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Concord MA, check that they are available at those times. Additionally, 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 fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes due to emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that hiring managers often ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What compelled you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not just the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomy Tech, but also what characteristics and skills you have that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you should prepare some strategies about how you would like to address them. Because there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can address this primary question in a multitude of ways. When readying an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession interests you in addition to the talents you have that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down a few ideas and talking points that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample responses can help you to develop your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist College near Concord MA

Making sure that you choose the most suitable phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a superior program. Phlebotomist training programs can be found in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide array of programs in medical care and health sciences. Training program offerings may differ somewhat across the country as each state has its own prerequisites when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the right program for you. And with the appropriate training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Concord MA.

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