Phlebotomy Training Schools near Gardner MA 01440 - Find Phlebotomist Schools Near You

Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician School near Gardner Massachusetts

Gardner MA phlebotomist taking blood sample Choosing the ideal phlebotomy school near Gardner MA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying career as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult undertaking to evaluate and compare each of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by considering 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 an area campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is far more to checking out phlebotomy training programs than finding the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables including accreditation and reputation are also significant considerations and need to be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will furnish a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are reviewing to help you select the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Work Description

Gardner MA phlebotomist testing blood sample A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal function, there is actually much more to their job description. Before collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being used are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample needs to be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point 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 may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Some Gardner MA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are accountable for ensuring that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Work?

The quickest response is wherever there are patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, including Gardner MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They may be assigned 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 collecting samples from a particular kind of patient. For example, those practicing in an assisted living facility or nursing home would solely be collecting blood from senior patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Certification and Licensing

Gardner MA phlebotomist holding blood sample There are basically two kinds of programs that offer phlebotomy training in Gardner MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program generally 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 means to becoming a phlebotomist. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomy degree, will include training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually require two years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program offer a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not required in most states, most employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the principal 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 call for certification in order to practice as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only furnishes a superior education, but also readies you for any certification or licensing exams that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

attending phlebotomy training online in Gardner MA To start with, let’s resolve one likely mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial component of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Gardner MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be attended online, it could be a more practical option for some students. As an added benefit, many online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, including those for commuting or textbooks, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency (more on accreditation to follow). With both the comprehensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a superior 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 option for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomist Programs

Since you now have a general idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to initiate your due diligence process. You may have already selected 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 campus is significant in addition to the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a program or school. But they are not the sole concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided a few questions that you need to ask about all of the Gardner MA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomy Program State Specific? As earlier discussed, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training completed prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might have to pass a State Board, certification or licensing examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomy program that fulfills the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and prepares you for any examinations you may have to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you select should be accredited by a highly regarded national or regional accrediting agency, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of advantages to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a premium education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are typically unavailable for non-accredited schools in Gardner MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the School’s Reputation? In a number of states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest caliber. So along with accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all schools you are looking at. 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 solicit the accrediting agencies for their reviews as well. You can also talk to several Gardner MA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a final thought, you can check with the Massachusetts 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, 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 clinical and classroom. As a minimum, any Gardner MA 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 lower than these minimums may signify that the program is not expansive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts colleges you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with local healthcare facilities. They are the ideal means to receive hands-on clinical training often not provided on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Gardner MA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist position will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the colleges 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 as well as an extensive network of professional contacts within the Gardner MA health care community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to make sure that the ultimate college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is particularly important if you decide to continue working while attending school. If you need to go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near Gardner MA, make certain 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. Even if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And ask what the make-up policy is should you have to miss any classes as a result of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Want to Become a Phlebotomist?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's advantageous to consider questions you might be asked. One of the things that interviewers frequently ask Phlebotomy Technician prospects is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the private reasons you may have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what attributes and abilities you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating specifically to Phlebotomy, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to organize several approaches about how you want to answer them. Considering there are numerous factors that go into choosing a career, you can respond to this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, attempt to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the talents you possess that make you an exceptional Phlebotomist and the ideal choice for the job. Don't try to memorize a response, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to prepare your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Enroll in the Ideal Phlebotomist Course near Gardner MA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this fulfilling health care career position. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that contribute toward the selection of a superior college. Phlebotomist certificate or degree programs are found in a number of educational institutes, such as community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that provide a wide array of courses in healthcare and medical sciences. Program offerings may differ a bit from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it comes to phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most critical point is that you need to diligently research and compare each program prior to making your ultimate selection. By asking the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your options so that you can select the right school for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Gardner MA.

Learn About Gardner Massachusetts

Gardner, Massachusetts

Gardner is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 at the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.

Named in honor of Col. Thomas Gardner,[4] the community was first settled in 1764 and officially incorporated as a town in 1785 after receiving land grants from the surrounding towns of Ashburnham, Westminster, Templeton and Winchendon.[5]:2 Dating from about 1805, it became a center for lumber and furniture industries. Gardner is known as the "Chair City" and "The Furniture Capital of New England", due to its long history in furniture production. By 1910 it had 20 chair factories which produced 4 million chairs per year. It was also noted for silversmithing. The Gardner State Colony for the Insane pioneered the use of cottage residences. Gardner was incorporated as a city in 1923.

Gardner is the birthplace of Heywood-Wakefield furniture, dating from 1826 when the five Heywood brothers began to fashion furniture in a barn near their father's farm. Brothers Walter, Levi, Seth, Benjamin and William began that year making wooden chairs. In the early years, Walter fashioned chairs by hand, also using a foot lathe. He was soon joined by his brothers Levi and Benjamin, part-time, while running a nearby country store. A new store was built across the street from the original store. In 1831 Levi moved to Boston where he established an outlet store to sell the chairs, while Benjamin and William remained in Gardner to manufacture the chairs. A fire destroyed the Heywoods' chair shop in 1834. In 1835 the partnership of B. F. Heywood & Co. was formed, composed of Benjamin, Walter and William, with Moses Wood and James W. Gates. Gardner was also the home of the Conant-Ball furniture factory. Nichols & Stone Chair Company traces their origin to 1762 in Westminster, Massachusetts. The company moved to Gardner at the turn of the 20th century. As of July 2008, it was announced they would terminate production. The Nichols & Stone name, the intellectual property and the design rights were purchased by the L. & J.G. Stickley of Manlius, New York.[6]

Biggest Chair, c. 1910

The location could not be found.