Picking a Phlebotomy Technician Course near Holliston Massachusetts

Selecting the ideal phlebotomy technician school near Holliston MA is a critical first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a challenging task to assess and compare all of the training alternatives that are available to you. Nevertheless it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make sure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. Another option you may 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’s important 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 factors such as accreditation and reputation are also important considerations and should be part of your decision process as well. To assist in that effort, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you select the right one for you. But before we do that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and afterwards continue our discussion about online classes.

Phlebotomist Career Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist must check that the tools being utilized are sterile and single use only. After collection, the sample must be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly completed to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab testing procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it may be tested for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Many Holliston MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested correctly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be called upon to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The simplest response is wherever there are patients. Their work places are many and diverse, including Holliston MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood centers. They can be assigned to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomists, based on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For example, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would exclusively be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomy technicians practicing in a general hospital setting would be drawing samples from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from new patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomist Training, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomy training in Holliston MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest route to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Available at junior and community colleges, they normally require 2 years to finish. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a 4 year program furnish a more expansive foundation in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers require certification prior to employing technicians. A few 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 a few states that do require certification in order to practice as a phlebotomy tech, including California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you pick a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a quality education, but also preps you for any certification or licensing exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one possible misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A good component of the course of study will be clinical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Holliston 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. But since the non-clinical part of the training may be attended online, it may be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their traditional counterparts. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. 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 premium education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to start your due diligence process. You may have already picked the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a degree or a certificate. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. Each of these decisions are an important component of the procedure for picking a program or school. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Holliston MA colleges you are reviewing before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states call for certification, while a few others require licensing. Every state has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of practical training performed prior to working as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to enroll in a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be working and readies you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomy school and program you pick should be accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting agency, such as 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 quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination offered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Also, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited colleges in Holliston MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college 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 phlebotomy colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s important to investigate the reputations of all colleges you are considering. You can start 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 rating and review services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even check with some Holliston MA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and see if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any grievances have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate Training Included? First, contact the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be working to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both classroom and practical. As a minimum, any Holliston MA phlebotomy program that you are reviewing should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (the majority require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything lower than these minimums may indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts colleges you are considering if they have an internship program in collaboration with area medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on clinical training often not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students establish contacts within the local Holliston MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Help Available? Landing your first phlebotomy job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation together with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Holliston MA healthcare community.

Are Class Times Compatible With Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to confirm that the final school you choose provides classes at times that are compatible with your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you choose to still work while attending college. If you need to attend classes at night or on weekends near Holliston MA, check that they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, verify 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 ask what the make-up procedure is in case you need to miss any classes as a result of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Want to Be a Phlebotomy Technician?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the things that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech applicants is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not just the private reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what attributes and talents you possess that make you good at what you do. You will undoubtedly be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of typical interview questions, so you need to prepare several approaches about how you want to address them. Given that there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a multitude of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the work interests you in addition to the abilities you possess that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best choice for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize an answer, but jot down several ideas and topics that pertain to your own experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist Program near Holliston MA

Making sure that you select the ideal phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are a number of factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality college. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a number of educational institutes, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer a wide assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program offerings can vary slightly from state to state as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must thoroughly research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have presented, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can realize your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Holliston MA.

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