Selecting a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Dunstable Massachusetts

Choosing the right phlebotomy school near Dunstable MA is a critical initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging undertaking to evaluate and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you complete your due diligence to make sure that you receive a superior education. In reality, a large number of students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you might look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll talk 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 closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the ideal 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 Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their primary responsibility, there is in fact much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be properly completed in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing process. The phlebotomist then delivers 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. Many Dunstable MA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are responsible for making certain that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they may be asked to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest answer is wherever patients are treated. Their work environments are many and diverse, including Dunstable MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They may be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or young children to seniors. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in drawing samples from a particular type of patient. For instance, those practicing 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working 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

There are essentially 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Dunstable MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program generally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a basic education along with 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will provide training to become a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they typically require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less available and as a four year program furnish a more extensive foundation in lab sciences. After you have finished your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not required in most states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. A few of the principal certifying agencies include:

• National Phlebotomy Association
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
• American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
• American Medical Technologists (AMT)

There are several states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, including Nevada and California. California and a handful of other states even require licensing. So it’s important that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only offers a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Online Phlebotomy Schools

To begin with, let’s resolve one possible mistaken belief. You can’t get all of your phlebotomy training online. A good component of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Dunstable MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it might be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, some online programs are more affordable than their traditional counterparts. And some costs, such as those for commuting or textbooks, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist program 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 superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Now that you have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You might have already chosen the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts campus is important as well as the cost of tuition. Maybe you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the process for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are a few questions that you need to ask about each of the Dunstable MA schools you are looking at before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As previously mentioned, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomist. Several states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing exam. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomist program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a reputable national or regional accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to sit for a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited programs in Dunstable MA. Finally, graduating from an accredited school can make you more desirable to potential employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Ranking? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So in addition to accreditation, it’s imperative to check out the reputations of any colleges you are reviewing. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also contact a few Dunstable MA local clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? First, check with the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to learn if there are any minimum requirements for the amount of training, both clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Dunstable MA phlebotomist program that you are considering should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local health care facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Dunstable MA health care community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the assistance of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at provide assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both a good reputation together with a substantial network of professional contacts within the Dunstable MA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s critical to verify that the final college you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your active lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Dunstable MA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, 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 sure those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that interviewers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is trying to discover is not merely the personal reasons you may have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and skills you have that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining specifically to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of standard interview questions, so you should organize several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are several variables 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 work interests you along with the talents you possess that make you an excellent Phlebotomist and the leading candidate for the position. Don't attempt to memorize a response, but take down some concepts and anecdotes that pertain to your own strengths and experiences. Going over sample answers can assist you to formulate your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to impress the recruiter.

Choose the Right Phlebotomist School near Dunstable MA

Making certain that you choose the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality program. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs can be offered in a variety of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer a comprehensive array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Training program offerings may differ slightly across the country as every state has its own mandates when it pertains to phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must thoroughly evaluate and compare each college prior to making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have presented, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper training, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Dunstable MA.

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