Selecting a Phlebotomy School near Auburndale Massachusetts

Picking the ideal phlebotomist training near Auburndale MA is an important initial step toward a gratifying profession as a phlebotomist. It may seem like a challenging task to evaluate and compare all of the school options that are accessible to you. However it’s vital that you do your due diligence to make certain that you obtain a superior education. In reality, many prospective students start the process by considering 2 of the qualifiers that initially come to mind, which are cost and location. Yet 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 classes later in this article. What’s important to remember is that there is far more to comparing phlebotomy training programs than locating the cheapest or the closest one. Other factors including reputation and accreditation are also important considerations and must be part of your decision process also. Toward that end, we will provide a list of questions that you should ask each of the phlebotomy schools you are assessing to help you pick the best one for you. But before we do that, let’s address what a phlebotomist is and does, and then resume our discussion about online schools.

Phlebotomy Tech Career Summary

A phlebotomist, or phlebotomy technician, draws blood from patients. Although that is their main responsibility, there is actually much more to their job description. Prior to collecting a blood sample, a phlebotomist must confirm that the tools being employed are single use only and sterile. After collection, the sample has to be correctly labeled with the patient’s information. Afterward, paperwork needs to be accurately filled out in order to track the sample from the point 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 can be screened for such things as pregnancy, infectious diseases or blood type. Many Auburndale MA phlebotomists actually work in laboratories and are responsible for ensuring that samples are analyzed properly under the strictest quality control procedures. And if those weren’t enough responsibilities, they can be required to instruct other phlebotomists in the drawing, transport and follow-up process.

Where do Phlebotomy Techs Practice?

The easiest answer is wherever they treat patients. Their workplaces are numerous and varied, such as Auburndale MA hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, or blood banks. They can be charged to collect blood samples from patients of all ages, from infants or young children to senior citizens. Some phlebotomy techs, depending on their practice and their training, specialize in collecting blood from a certain type of patient. For example, those working in an assisted living facility or nursing home would only be drawing blood from senior patients. If they are working in a maternity ward, they would be drawing blood from mothers and newborns solely. In contrast, phlebotomists working in a general hospital environment would be drawing blood from a wide variety of patients and would collect samples from different patients every day.

Phlebotomy Technician Training, Certification and Licensing

There are primarily 2 kinds of programs that provide phlebotomist training in Auburndale MA, which are degree and certificate programs. The certificate program usually takes less than a year to finish and offers a general education together with 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 specifically a phlebotomy degree, will provide training on becoming a phlebotomist. Available at junior and community colleges, they usually take two years to complete. Bachelor’s Degrees are not as available and as a 4 year program furnish a more extensive background in lab sciences. Once you have finished your training, you will probably want to become certified. While not required in the majority of states, most employers require certification before hiring technicians. A few 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 some states that do call for certification prior to practicing as a phlebotomy tech, like Nevada and California. California and a few other states even require licensing. So it’s essential that you choose a phlebotomy training program that not only offers a quality education, but also preps you for any licensing or certification examinations that you elect or are required to take.

Online Phlebotomist Classes

First, let’s resolve one potential mistaken belief. You can’t obtain all of your phlebotomy training online. A good portion of the curriculum will be practical training and it will be performed either in an approved Auburndale 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. But since the non-practical component of the training can be attended online, it can be a more convenient alternative for many students. As an added benefit, many online programs are less expensive than their on-campus competitors. And some expenditures, such as those for textbooks or commuting, may be lessened as well. Just verify that the online phlebotomist school you select 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 disciplined enough to study at home, then attaining your certificate or degree online may be the best choice for you.

Questions to Ask Phlebotomist Schools

Now that you have a basic idea about what is involved in becoming a phlebotomist, it’s time to begin your due diligence process. You might have already picked the kind of program you intend to enroll in, whether it be for a certificate or a degree. As we previously mentioned, the location of the Massachusetts college is relevant as well as the cost of tuition. Possibly you have opted to enroll in an online phlebotomy school. Each of these decisions are a critical component of the procedure for selecting a school or program. But they are not the only considerations when arriving at your decision. Below we have provided some questions that you need to ask about each of the Auburndale MA colleges you are looking at before making your final selection.

Is the Phlebotomist Program Specific to Massachusetts? As previously mentioned, each state has its own regulations for practicing as a phlebotomy technician. Several states call for certification, while some others mandate licensing. Each has its own requirement regarding the minimum hours of clinical training performed prior to practicing as a phlebotomist. Consequently, you may need to pass a State Board, licensing or certification examination. Therefore it’s very important to choose a phlebotomy program that satisfies the state specific requirements for Massachusetts or the state where you will be practicing and readies you for any examinations you may be required to take.

Is the College Accredited? The phlebotomy program and school you enroll in should be accredited by a reputable regional or national accrediting agency, for example the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). There are many advantages to graduating from an accredited program in addition to a guarantee of a superior education. First, if your program has not received accreditation, you will not be able to sit for a certification exam administered by any of the earlier listed certifying agencies. Next, accreditation will help in securing loans or financial assistance, which are frequently unavailable for non-accredited schools in Auburndale MA. Last, graduating from an accredited college can make you more desirable to prospective employers in the job market.

What is the College’s Ranking? In many 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 considering. You can begin by asking the schools for references 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 agencies for their reviews as well. You can even contact a few Auburndale MA local hospitals or clinics that you may 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 submitted or if the colleges are in total compliance.

Is Ample Training Provided? 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 Auburndale MA phlebotomist 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 less than these minimums might signify that the program is not comprehensive enough to offer sufficient training.

Are Internships Provided? Ask the Massachusetts programs you are reviewing if they have an internship program in partnership with local medical facilities. They are the optimal means to get hands-on practical training typically not obtainable on campus. As an added benefit, internships can assist students develop relationships within the local Auburndale MA healthcare community. And they are a plus on resumes as well.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Landing your first phlebotomist job will be a lot easier with the support of a job placement program. Find out if the programs you are considering offer assistance and what their job placement percentage is. If a college has a high rate, meaning they place most of their students in jobs, it’s an indication that the school has both a good reputation along with a large network of professional contacts within the Auburndale MA medical community.

Are Class Times Conveniently Scheduled? Finally, it’s critical to confirm that the final college you choose offers classes at times that will accommodate your hectic lifestyle. This is especially true if you opt to still work while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evenings or on weekends near Auburndale MA, check that they are available 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 clinical training requirement, make sure those hours can also be fulfilled within your schedule. And find out what the make-up protocol is should you need to miss any classes due to illness or emergencies.

Why Did You Decide to Be a Phlebotomist?

When getting ready to interview for a Phlebotomy Tech position, it's helpful to review questions you could be asked. One of the questions that hiring managers typically ask Phlebotomy Technician candidates is "What drove you to pick Phlebotomy as a profession?". What the interviewer is trying to learn is not merely the personal reasons you might have for becoming Phlebotomist, but also what characteristics and talents you possess that make you good at your profession. You will likely be asked questions pertaining exclusively to Phlebotomy, as well as a significant number of standard interview questions, so you must organize some strategies about how you would like to respond to them. Since there are so many variables that go into choosing a career, you can answer this primary question in a variety of ways. When formulating an answer, try to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the strengths you have that make you an outstanding Phlebotomy Tech and the best candidate for the job. Don't make an effort to memorize a response, but write down some concepts and talking points that relate to your personal experiences and strengths. Going over sample answers can assist you to develop your own thoughts, and inspire ideas of what to include to wow the recruiter.

Enroll in the Right Phlebotomist School near Auburndale MA

Making sure that you enroll in the right phlebotomy 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 go into the selection of a premium college. Phlebotomist training programs are offered in a wide range of academic institutes, including community or junior colleges, vocational schools, and colleges and universities that offer an extensive assortment of courses in medical care and health sciences. Program options may vary a bit across the country as each state has its own mandates when it concerns phlebotomy training, certification and licensing. The most critical point is that you need to diligently screen and compare each school before making your final decision. By addressing the questions that we have furnished, you will be able to narrow down your choices so that you can pick the best school for you. And with the proper education, you can reach your goal of becoming a phlebotomist in Auburndale MA.

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