Choosing a Phlebotomy Technician Training Program near Southbridge Massachusetts

Enrolling in the right phlebotomy training near Southbridge MA is an important first step toward a rewarding profession as a phlebotomist. It might seem like a difficult task to investigate and compare all of the training alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s important that you do your due diligence to make sure that you get a quality education. In reality, most prospective students begin their search by looking at two of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are cost and location. An additional factor you might consider is whether to attend classes online or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll discuss more about online classes later in this article. What you need to keep in mind is that there is a lot 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 must be part of your selection process as well. To assist in that effort, we will supply a list of questions that you need to ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are evaluating to help you select the right one for you. But prior to doing that, let’s cover what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our conversation about online training.

Phlebotomy Technician Work Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. While that is their main task, there is actually far more to their job description. Before drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to check that the tools being used are sterile and single use only. Following the collection, the sample must be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Next, paperwork needs to be correctly filled out to be able to track the sample from the time of collection through the lab screening procedure. The phlebotomist then transports the blood to either an an outside lab facility or an in-house lab where it can be screened for such things as infectious diseases, pregnancy or blood type. A number of Southbridge MA phlebotomists in fact work in laboratories and are in charge of ensuring that samples are analyzed properly utilizing the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t sufficient duties, they may be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the collection, transport and follow-up process.

Where are Phlebotomists Employed?

The simplest response is wherever patients are treated. Their work places are numerous and varied, including Southbridge MA hospitals, medical clinics, long-term care facilities, or blood banks. They may be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from infants or toddlers to senior citizens. A number of phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in collecting samples from a specific kind of patient. For instance, those working in a nursing home or assisted living facility would only be drawing blood from older patients. If they are practicing in a maternity ward, they would be collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. On the other hand, phlebotomy technicians working in a general hospital setting would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with new patients each day.

Phlebotomy Education, Licensing and Certification

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Southbridge MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education as well as the training on how to draw blood. It provides the fastest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, although not specifically a phlebotomist degree, will incorporate training on becoming a phlebotomist. Offered at junior and community colleges, they typically require two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a four year program provide a more expansive background in lab sciences. When you have finished your training, you will probably want to get certified. Although not required in the majority of states, most employers look for certification before employing technicians. Some of the key certifying organizations include:

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

There are some states that do require certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like Nevada and California. California and a handful of additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomist training program that not only provides a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Phlebotomy Online Schools

To begin with, let’s dispel one potential misconception. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A significant part of the program of studies will be practical training and it will be conducted either in an approved Southbridge 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 component of the training may be accessed online, it might be a more practical alternative for some students. As an added benefit, some online colleges are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some costs, including those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered also. Just make sure that the online phlebotomist program you choose is accredited by a regional or national accrediting organization (more on accreditation later). With both the extensive clinical and online training, you can obtain a quality education with this means of learning. If you are disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your degree or certificate online might be the right choice for you.

Subjects to Ask Phlebotomy Colleges

Since you now 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 type of program you wish to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we mentioned earlier, the location of the Massachusetts campus is relevant as well as the tuition expense. Maybe you have decided to enroll in an phlebotomy online program. All of these decisions are a critical part of the process for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only concerns when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided several questions that you should ask about each of the Southbridge MA colleges you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection.

Is the Phlebotomy Program Specific to Massachusetts? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomist. Some states require certification, while some others require licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training completed before working as a phlebotomy tech. As a result, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification 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 working and readies you for all exams you may have to take.

Is the Program Accredited? The phlebotomist school and program you choose should be accredited by a highly regarded regional or national accrediting organization, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are a number of benefits to graduating from an accredited school aside from a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program is not accredited, you will not qualify to take a certification examination administered by any of the earlier listed certifying organizations. Next, accreditation will help in getting financial aid or loans, which are often unavailable for non-accredited schools in Southbridge 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 Program’s Reputation? In a number of states there is little or no regulation of phlebotomy schools, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to investigate the reputations of all schools you are reviewing. You can start by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their graduates as part of their job placement program. You can research online school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews as well. You can even talk to several Southbridge MA area clinics or hospitals that you might be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any insights. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and ask if any grievances have been submitted or if the colleges are in full compliance.

Is Ample Training Included? To begin with, check with the Massachusetts regulator or the state regulator where you will be practicing to find out if there are any minimum requirements for the length of training, both clinical and classroom. At a minimum, any Southbridge MA phlebotomist program that you are looking at should provide at least 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything less than these minimums might signify that the program is not expansive enough to provide adequate training.

Are Internships Provided? Find out from the Massachusetts schools you are looking at if they have an internship program in collaboration with area healthcare facilities. They are the ideal way to get hands-on clinical training often not available on campus. As an added benefit, internships can help students develop contacts within the local Southbridge MA healthcare community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Assistance Provided? Getting your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the schools you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a school has a high rate, signifying they place the majority of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with an extensive network of professional contacts within the Southbridge MA health care community.

Are Class Times Offered to Fit Your Schedule? And last, it’s crucial to make sure that the final school you pick offers classes at times that are compatible with your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you choose to continue working while attending college. If you need to go to classes at night or on weekends near Southbridge MA, make sure they are available at those times. Also, if you can only attend part-time, make sure it is an option as well. 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 procedure is should you need to miss any classes because of emergencies or illness.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomy Tech?

When prepping to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech job, it's helpful to review questions you might be asked. One of the questions that recruiters often ask Phlebotomy Tech candidates is "What made you select Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is attempting to uncover is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomy Tech, but additionally what characteristics and skills you possess that make you good at your profession. You will probably be asked questions relating primarily to Phlebotomy, as well as a certain number of typical interview questions, so you must ready some ideas about how you want to address them. Considering there are several factors that go into selecting a career, you can answer this primary question in a number of ways. When preparing an answer, try to include the reasons the profession appeals to you as well as the abilities you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomist and the best choice for the position. Don't try to memorize an answer, but jot down several concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can help you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to impress the interviewer.

Select the Right Phlebotomist School near Southbridge MA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy training is an essential first step toward your success in this gratifying medical care field. As we have addressed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including junior or community colleges, trade schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of programs in medical care and health sciences. Course offerings may vary somewhat from state to state as every state has its own requirements when it comes to phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most important point is that you must diligently research and compare each program before making your ultimate decision. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can select the ideal college for you. And with the appropriate education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Southbridge MA.

Learn About Southbridge Massachusetts

 

 

More Interesting Massachusetts Cities

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mendon MA 01756

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Village of Nagog Woods MA 01718

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Randolph MA 02368

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Mattapoisett MA 02739

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rockport MA 01966

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Douglas MA 01516

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Grafton MA 01519

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Rochester MA 02770

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Shirley MA 01464

Phlebotomy Training Schools near Bernardston MA 01337