Picking a Phlebotomy Course near South Dartmouth Massachusetts

Picking the right phlebotomy training near South Dartmouth MA is an essential initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to analyze and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s necessary that you perform your due diligence to make certain that you receive a quality education. In reality, most students begin their search by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are location and cost. Yet another 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 much more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other variables including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and need to be part of your decision process too. To assist in that effort, we will furnish 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 prior to doing that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online training.

Phlebotomist Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, collects blood samples from patients. While that is their principal responsibility, there is actually far more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the tools being utilized are single use only and sterile. Following the collection, the sample has to be properly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork must be correctly filled out in order to track the sample from the time of collection through the laboratory testing procedure. 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 infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. Some South Dartmouth MA phlebotomists in fact work in labs and are responsible for making sure that samples are tested properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they might be required to train other phlebotomists in the collection, delivery and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The simplest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their work environments are numerous and diverse, including South Dartmouth MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be tasked to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, based on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting samples from a specific type of patient. For instance, those practicing in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be collecting blood from older patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers solely. In contrast, phlebotomists practicing in a general hospital environment would be collecting blood from a wide range of patients and would collect samples from different patients on a daily basis.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two types of programs that provide phlebotomy training in South Dartmouth MA, which are certificate and degree programs. The certificate program normally takes less than a year to complete and furnishes a general education together with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest route 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 to become a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they usually require 2 years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as accessible and as a four year program provide a more comprehensive foundation in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to be certified. Although not mandated in the majority of states, a number of employers look for certification prior to employing technicians. Some of the main 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 prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, such as California and Nevada. California and a few 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 prepares you for any licensing or certification exams that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential mistaken belief. You can’t receive all of your phlebotomy training online. A substantial part of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be carried out either in an approved South Dartmouth MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. A large number of courses also require completion of an internship in order to graduate. However since the non-clinical portion of the training can be accessed online, it could be a more practical alternative for many students. As an added benefit, some online schools are more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. And some costs, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be reduced as well. Just confirm that the online phlebotomy college you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can receive a superior education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to learn at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Points to Ask Phlebotomy Programs

Since you now have a basic idea about what it takes to become a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might 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 important as well as the tuition expense. Perhaps you have decided to enroll in an online phlebotomist program. Each of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for choosing a school or program. But they are not the sole concerns when making your decision. Following are some questions that you need to ask about each of the South Dartmouth MA schools you are looking at before making your final decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Your State? As mentioned previously, each state has its own laws for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states require certification, while a few others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed before practicing as a phlebotomist. As a result, you may need to pass a State Board, certification or licensing 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 practicing and prepares you for all exams you may be required to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a respected national or regional accrediting organization, such as the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are several benefits to graduating from an accredited program aside from an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not be able to take a certification exam administered by any of the previously listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in securing financial aid or loans, which are typically not available for non-accredited colleges in South Dartmouth MA. Finally, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited school can make you more attractive to future employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Reputation? In numerous states there is minimal or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are some that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of all colleges you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job assistance program. You can screen internet school reviews and rating services and solicit the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even talk to several South Dartmouth MA area clinics or hospitals that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can provide any insights. As a final 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 Enough 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 South Dartmouth MA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should furnish no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of clinical training. Anything less than these minimums may signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internship Programs Provided? Ask the Massachusetts schools you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with area medical facilities. They are the optimal way to receive hands-on practical training frequently not obtainable on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish relationships within the local South Dartmouth MA medical community. And they are a plus on resumes also.

Is Job Placement Support Provided? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Inquire if the colleges you are reviewing provide assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a school has a higher rate, signifying they place most of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the program has both an excellent reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the South Dartmouth MA medical community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the ultimate school you select offers classes at times that will accommodate your busy schedule. This is particularly true if you decide to still work while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evenings or on weekends near South Dartmouth MA, check that they are offered at those times. Also, if you can only attend on a part-time basis, confirm it is an option also. And if you have decided to attend online, with the clinical training requirement, make certain those hours can also be completed within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is in case you have to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When preparing to interview for a Phlebotomy Technician job, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. Among the things that interviewers often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What compelled you to select Phlebotomy as a career?". What the interviewer is hoping to discover is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but additionally what qualities and skills you possess that make you outstanding at what you do. You will likely be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, in addition to a significant number of standard interview questions, so you should prepare some approaches about how you want to respond to them. Because there are several variables that go into selecting a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a number 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 outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the position. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but take down several concepts and anecdotes that relate to your own experiences and strengths. Reviewing sample responses can help you to prepare your own thoughts, and give you ideas of what to include to wow the interviewer.

Choose the Best Phlebotomy Program near South Dartmouth MA

Making sure that you pick the right phlebotomy training is an important first step toward your success in this rewarding health care field. As we have discussed in this article, there are several factors that contribute toward the selection of a quality school. Phlebotomy training programs can be found in a variety of academic institutions, including community or junior colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive array of programs in healthcare and medical sciences. Program options may differ somewhat across the country as every state has its own criteria when it concerns phlebotomy training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must carefully evaluate and compare each school 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 right school for you. And with the proper training, you can accomplish your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in South Dartmouth MA.

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