Enrolling in the right phlebotomist school near Blandford MA is an essential first step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a daunting task to evaluate and compare all of the school alternatives that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you perform your due diligence to ensure that you obtain a quality education. In fact, many potential students begin the process by looking at 2 of the qualifiers that first come to mind, which are location and cost. Another factor you may look into is whether to attend online classes or commute to a nearby campus. We’ll review a bit more about online schools later in this article. What you need to remember is that there is a lot more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the closest or the cheapest one. Other variables such as reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your selection process too. Toward that end, we will supply a list of questions that you should 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 continue our conversation about online classes.

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Phlebotomist Job Description

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy tech, draws blood from patients. Although that is their principal task, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to drawing a blood sample, a phlebotomist needs to verify that the instruments being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample must be accurately labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork must be accurately 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 in-house lab or to an outside lab facility where it may be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Blandford MA phlebotomists actually work in labs and are in charge of making certain that samples are analyzed properly under the highest quality assurance procedures. And if those weren’t enough duties, they can be required to train other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomists Practice?

The most basic response is wherever patients are treated. Their workplaces are numerous and diverse, such as Blandford MA medical clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, or blood centers. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of of every age, from babies or young children to seniors. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their training and their practice, specialize in drawing samples from a specific 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 collecting blood from newborns and mothers exclusively. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be collecting samples from a wide range of patients and would work with different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Education, Licensing and Certification

There are basically two kinds of programs that furnish phlebotomist training in Blandford MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program typically takes less than a year to complete and provides a basic education along with the training on how to draw blood. It offers the quickest means to becoming a phlebotomy tech. An Associate of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science, even though it’s not exclusively a phlebotomist degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomy tech. Offered at community and junior colleges, they normally take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are less accessible and as a four year program offer a more comprehensive background in lab sciences. Once you have completed your training, you will no doubt want to become certified. While not mandated in the majority of states, most employers look for certification prior to hiring 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 call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomist, like California and Nevada. California and a few additional states even require licensing. So it’s imperative that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only supplies a superior education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you are required or elect to take.

Phlebotomist Online Certificates and Degrees

To start with, let’s dispel one likely misconception. You can’t get all of your phlebotomist training online. A substantial component of the program of studies will be clinical training and it will be performed either in an approved Blandford MA healthcare facility or an on-campus lab|an on-campus lab or an approved healthcare facility}. Many courses also require completing an internship prior to graduation. However since the non-practical portion of the training can be accessed online, it can be a more convenient alternative for some students. As an additional benefit, a number of online schools are less expensive than their on-campus counterparts. And some expenditures, for instance those for textbooks or commuting, may be lowered as well. Just make sure that the online phlebotomy program you choose is accredited by a national or regional accrediting organization (more on accreditation to follow). With both the extensive online and clinical training, you can obtain a quality education with this approach to learning. If you are dedicated enough to study at home, then earning your certificate or degree online may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Phlebotomy 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 might have already decided on the kind of program you want to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts college is significant in addition to the tuition expense. Perhaps you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy college. All of these decisions are a critical part of the procedure for picking a school or program. But they are not the sole considerations when arriving at your decision. Following are several questions that you should ask about all of the Blandford MA colleges you are reviewing before making your ultimate decision.

Is the Phlebotomist Program State Specific? As mentioned previously, each state has its own requirements for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Some states require certification, while a few others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum amount of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you might need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s extremely important to select a phlebotomist program that meets the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and preps you for all examinations you may have to take.

Is the School Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you select 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 advantages to graduating from an accredited school in addition to an assurance of a quality education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not qualify to take a certification exam offered by any of the previously listed certifying agencies. Also, accreditation will help in obtaining loans or financial assistance, which are often not available for non-accredited programs in Blandford MA. Last, earning a certificate or a degree from an accredited college can make you more attractive 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 phlebotomist colleges, so there are those that are not of the highest quality. So in addition to accreditation, it’s essential to check out the reputations of any schools you are looking at. You can begin by requesting references from the schools from employers where they place their students as part of their job placement program. You can research internet school rating and review services and ask the accrediting organizations for their reviews also. You can even contact several Blandford MA local hospitals or clinics that you may be interested in working for and find out if they can offer any recommendations. As a closing thought, you can contact the Massachusetts school licensing authority and find out if any complaints have been filed or if the schools are in full compliance.

Is Adequate 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 amount of training, both classroom and practical. At a minimum, any Blandford MA phlebotomist program that you are reviewing should provide no less than 40 hours of classroom training (most require 120) and 120 hours of practical training. Anything below these minimums might indicate that the program is not comprehensive enough to furnish sufficient training.

Are Internships Sponsored? Find out from the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with regional medical facilities. They are the ideal way to obtain hands-on practical training typically not available on campus. As an additional benefit, internships can help students establish contacts within the local Blandford MA health care community. And they look good on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the help of a job placement program. Ask if the programs you are looking at offer assistance and what their job placement rate is. If a college has a higher rate, meaning they place the majority of their students in positions, it’s an indication that the college has both an excellent reputation as well as a large network of professional contacts within the Blandford MA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? And last, it’s important to make sure that the final program you select provides classes at times that are compatible with your active schedule. This is especially true if you opt to still work while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Blandford MA, check that they are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend part-time, verify it is an option as well. Even if you have decided to attend 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 in case you need to miss any classes because of illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Be a Phlebotomist?

Enroll in the Best Phlebotomist School near Blandford MA

Making certain that you select the right phlebotomist training is an essential first step toward your success in this rewarding healthcare field. As we have discussed in this article, there are multiple factors that go into the selection of a premium school. Phlebotomy certificate or degree programs are available in a variety of educational institutes, including junior or community colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive range of courses in medical care and health sciences. Course options can vary a bit across the country as every state has its own requirements when it concerns phlebotomist training, licensing and certification. The most important point is that you must diligently evaluate and compare each program prior to making your ultimate choice. By asking the questions that we have provided, you will be able to fine tune your choices so that you can pick the ideal college for you. And with the proper education, you can achieve your goal of becoming a phlebotomy technician in Blandford MA.

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