Selecting a Phlebotomy Training Program near East Bridgewater Massachusetts

Enrolling in the ideal phlebotomist training near East Bridgewater MA is a critical initial step toward a rewarding career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare each of the school options that are available to you. However it’s important that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a superior education. In reality, most prospective students start the process by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet another factor you may consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online schools later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is much more to comparing 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 then continue our conversation about online classes.

Phlebotomy Technician Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. While that is their main responsibility, there is in fact so much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist has to check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the point of collection through the lab screening 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. Many East Bridgewater MA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are accountable for making certain that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they might be called upon to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever they treat patients. Their work places are numerous and diverse, such as East Bridgewater MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomists, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing blood from a certain type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from elderly patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers solely. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would work with new patients every day.

Phlebotomist Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in East Bridgewater MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with 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, although not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, many employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few of the primary certifying agencies 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s important that you enroll in a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a premium education, but also readies you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Colleges

First, let’s dispel one likely mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomist training online. A significant portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved East Bridgewater MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient option for many students. As an additional benefit, many online classes are more affordable than their traditional competitors. And some expenditures, for instance 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 agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a superior education with this method of learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then obtaining your certificate or degree online may be the right choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a general idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomy tech, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the type of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Possibly you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist school. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when making your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you should ask about all of the East Bridgewater MA programs you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own prerequisite regarding the minimum amount of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to choose a phlebotomy program that complies with the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and preps you for any exams you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. To begin with, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are typically not available for non-accredited schools in East Bridgewater MA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to potential employers in the job market.

What is the Program’s Ranking? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s important to check out the reputations of all colleges you are looking at. You can begin by asking the schools for references from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research online school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several East Bridgewater MA local hospitals or clinics that you might be interested in working for and ask if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can check with the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any complaints have been filed or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Provided? To begin with, check with the Massachusetts regulator or 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 East Bridgewater MA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Sponsored? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal means to obtain hands-on practical training often not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local East Bridgewater MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Help Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the schools you are reviewing 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 program has both a good reputation along with a substantial network of professional contacts within the East Bridgewater MA health care community.

Are Classes Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s critical to make sure that the final school you select provides classes at times that will accommodate your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you opt to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near East Bridgewater MA, make certain they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option also. And if you have decided to study online, with the practical 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 because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Desire to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's a good idea to consider questions you could be asked. Among the questions that recruiters frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician applicants is "What made you choose Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to uncover is not merely the private reasons you might have for being Phlebotomist, but additionally what characteristics and talents you possess that make you outstanding at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of general interview questions, so you must prepare several strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Considering there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can address this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you as well as the talents you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Reading through sample answers can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to wow the recruiter.

Select the Best Phlebotomy College near East Bridgewater MA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this gratifying healthcare career position. As we have covered in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist training programs can be available in a variety of academic institutes, such as community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings can differ a bit across the country as every state has its own prerequisites when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each college before making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in East Bridgewater MA.

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